The Philadelphia Phillies won their third straight game on Friday night, taking the Miami Marlins down 3-1 in extra innings. Their record now stands at 5-5 on the season.
- So far so good for fifth starter John Lannan. Lannan produced another quality outing on Friday night, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings. Granted, Miami doesn’t exactly have a major league-caliber lineup, but you can only beat who you play, and so far Lannan has delivered two strong starts for the Phils.
- The Phillies always seem to have trouble scoring runs off of Ricky Nolasco, and tonight was no different. Nolasco was only tagged for one run by the offense, an RBI double by Domonic Brown in the sixth inning.
- The offense wasn’t able to manage any more runs until the 10th inning, when the Phils managed to break out for two runs off an RBI triple from Chase Utley and an RBI single from Michael Young.
- The bullpen did a great job holding the Marlins hitters down after taking over for Lannan in the seventh. The group pitched four scoreless innings on the night. Antonio Bastardo struck out the side in the seventh, Mike Adams allowed two baserunners but escaped the eighth inning with no damage, Phillippe Aumont worked a scoreless ninth inning and earned his first win of the season, and Jonathan Papelbon came on to make his third save of the season.
- Ryan Howard had another multi-hit game, raising his average to .231.
Final Thoughts
This game was a little too close for comfort.
As mentioned earlier, the Phillies always have seem to have trouble hitting Ricky Nolasco, but it shouldn’t have taken them 10 innings to produce three runs against a team this bad. The offense’s poor play in the first nine innings kept the game up for grabs, and if the Phils pitching didn’t do their part, then this could easily have been a frustrating loss to start the series.
However, the Phillies did manage to escape with a win and their record is now at .500.
It’s time for Cole Hamels to step up and deliver his first big game of the season.
Utley, seems to have visited the Lourdes healing fountains, because he’s showing no effects, of the Chondromalacia. Dude looks good, I hope he stays healthy, so maybe at the deadline, we can get something of significance for him.
Another Strong Pitching Performance by Lannan who has looked really well so far, when he keeps the ball down and works those corners, he can be an effective Pitcher.. Big Win for the Phils who need to win these type of games
When their Offense is off a bit..Howard/Brown with a couple Hits a piece,
Back end of Bullpen looking Strong with Bastardo, Aumont, Adams & Papelbon
Good Team Win..
Against a beer league softball team. Big woop! This team, & it’s starting rotation, are now a middle of the road, 500 team, unable to make the playoffs. Lannan is a bum. He wins no more than 8-9 games.
I hear a chirp chirp – the beginnings of a Lannan crow
Not from me you ain’t! He blows!
.500 Go Phils
Braves/Nats Re both playing well out of the gate, the Phils need to hang in there during these first 50 Games and stay within striking distance to have any chance for their usual strong 2nd half finishes..
If Starters Hamels/Doc get untracked, they will contend
But winning and sweeping series versu the Marlins is a must