The Philadelphia Phillies won their second straight game on Monday night, taking down the Washington Nationals 3-2. Their record improves to 44-46.
- John Lannan only pitched six innings or more in one of his five starts since returning from the disabled list. Tonight, the lefty was masterful, tossing eight shutout innings against his former club. Lannan allowed just four hits and two walks on the night.
- The Phillies got Lannan a quick two-run lead in the first inning. Domonic Brown singled home a run, and Darin Ruf drew a walk with the bases loaded.
- Ruf also picked up a single in his second start of the year.
- Jimmy Rollins added the team’s third run with an RBI single in the sixth.
- Ben Revere had another three-hit ballgame, and came around to score two runs.
- Delmon Young went just 1-4, and left five runners on base.
- Carlos Ruiz had an even rougher night, going 0-4 with six men left on base.
- The Phillies as a team went just 2-11 with runners in scoring position.
- Jonathan Papelbon picked up the save in the ninth, despite allowing two runs to score.
Final Thoughts
John Lannan, arguably the weakest link in the rotation, pitched a gem out of nowhere tonight to anchor the Phillies in the first game of the series. Lannan was the key to tonight’s win, shutting down the Washington lineup and pitching deep into the game. The lefty made it so the only member of the bullpen that Charlie Manuel had to call upon was his closer.
Speaking of Papelbon, I’m still very concerned about his workload. The righty has now pitched in four of the last five games, and showed that he was leaking a bit of oil tonight, allowing the first two batters to get into scoring position. Charlie Manuel may feel like he doesn’t have any other choice, but he just can’t keep running Papelbon into the ground like this. This is why I didn’t agree with Manuel’s decision to go to his closer with a four-run lead in Sunday’s game. Adding unnecessary strain to Papelbon’s arm in a situation like that is going to make it more difficult for him to convert saves during the rest of this homestand.
The Phillies still have three more dates with the Nationals this week. They’ve got to find some way to win these games without leaning on Papelbon in the ninth. Either the offense is going to have to explode for a great deal of runs, or Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee are going to have bring their A-games and go the distance.
The good news, however, is that the Phils are now 3-1 on their homestand. They got their series with the Nats off to a great start behind an unexpected performance from John Lannan, and they’re in a good position to take at least two of the final games with Hamels and Lee set to pitch.
cole hasnt gone the distance since 8.13.12. he does average about 2 complete games a year so he is about due though
That’s whats scary about tomorrow night. Imagine Hamels goes 7-8 innings, and the Phillies carry a two-run lead into the ninth…what does Charlie do? Ask Papelbon to pitch for the fifth time in six games, one night after he nearly blew a save?
As you said though, it certainly seems like he’s about due. We’ve been waiting all year for Cole to have a shutdown performance, and tomorrow would be a great time for it.
Bryce Harper and Adam The Roach have great numbers against cole, if cole can take care of these 2 he will be fine. but to answer your question what is he to do he is to trot out paps again. keep kicking the horse until the race is finished, period. he has a break coming up… hopefully we dont need to call his number but if we do we do win or lose you gotta get on your horse
its kind of brutal being a phils fan right now, i watch all their games winning or losing streaking up or down and i was all set for a fire sale and turn this team around towards a new future but the nats and braves really really arent that good so i dont think the sweeping changes will come. thats ok though we werent getting a mlb ready of player for anyone this year anyways.
its nice to see the guys hitting right now especially ben revere. heres to rootin for the phils
good night
and denny i said it once ill say it again thanks for the daily phils games write ups, i always look forward to them and enjoy them
You’re welcome, it means a great deal to me that you enjoy them!
Screw the Phillies.
Screw U ES! 8D
“its kind of brutal being a phils fan right now, i watch all their games winning or losing streaking up or down and i was all set for a fire sale and turn this team around towards a new future but the nats and braves really really arent that good so i dont think the sweeping changes will come. thats ok though we werent getting a mlb ready of player for anyone this year anyways. ”
There was never going to be a fire sale…For what purpose?…I really don’t trust the Phillies scouting right now, in any case, if the idea was to trade vets for ‘prospects’…Any major changes will be made after the season is done…Some of the guys Amaro picked up are starting to do a little bit…We’ll just have to see how it plays out.
Charlie will have to go to his bullpen, and one of the guys will have to step up: No other solution…The relief pitchers need to throw strikes and show some heart…They’ve got good arms.
Glad to see the Phillies faced up to the fact that Howard was still hurt…Anyone could see he was a shell of himself out there…I feel confident with Ruf, but don’t expect miracles.
The purpose of a fire sale would be because the Phils are out of it and they could pick up some assets for m young, d young, utley, Ruiz & paps. But they’re not out of it so as long as they keep winning series there will be no selling and most likely a small buy or two.
Lots of different paths for us to take right now.
No need for FIre-Sale.. The Phils are right in it for now..
The Braves/Nats are not going to run away from anyone so the Phils can hang in there and compete for the Division..
I see the Phils picking up a Reliver for sure and maybe another OF..
there are a lot of Teams needing Relievers so the Price to Pay for one will be very high but with the Rockies,Padres,GIants all struggling worse than the PHils are.. The Phils are right in the Wildcard Race and have a chance to catch the Braves if they get hot.. Braves Starting PItching is probably their weakest in years, they strike out more than the PhIls and their Bullpen is not lights out and has been vulnerable..