The Phillies were able to hold off the New York Mets last night 5-4 to win the last game of a 3 game series. JC Romero got the win in relief and Brad Lidge was able to pick up the save. Chase Utley crushed 2 homeruns on the day. He was a perfect 3-3 with 2 homeruns, and 4 RBIs.
Utley hit his second homer in the bottom of the 5th inning. The dinger drove in Jayson Werth and Greg Dobbs. That put the score at 4-0 after 5. It was at this moment that I had the feeling of “I’m not sure 4 runs is a big enough lead right now.” Sure enough Adam Eaton started off the 6th inning by giving up a triple to Jose Reyes, an RBI single to Luis Castillo, a double to David Wright, and a 2 RBI single to Carlos Beltran. Eaton was then pulled without recording an out in the 6th inning. Chad Durbin came into the game and allowed 1 more run in Eaton’s name before getting out of the inning. Up until the 6th, Eaton had pitched very well striking out 4 while only giving up 2 hits. Much like last year, he was unable to stop the bleeding once it started and had to be pulled.
After the brutal 6th inning was over, the score was tied 4-4.
Pedro Feliz came in to pinch hit for Greg Dobbs in the 7th inning and hit a solo, opposite field homerun to take the lead 5-4.
JC Romero pitched 2 scoreless innings (7-8), and left the game to closer Brad Lidge for the 9th. Lidge made it interesting walking the first batter he faced, then allowing a base hit to the next man. He got out of the jam when Eric Bruntlett made a great play at short. He was able to dive and get a grounder and turn it into a fantastic double play. It was the Sportscenter #1 play this morning.
Chase Utley now leads the majors in homeruns with his two in the game. He has a 4-game homerun streak going and has hit 5 in that time. He is seeing the ball really well, and his swing is nice and compact which allows him to get around on a lot of pitches even if he’s fooled.
Unfortunately the win came after 2 disappointing losses to the Mets. On Friday, Johan Santana was dealing. He struck out 10 batters through 7+ innings. The Phillies got the game to 4-5 going into the 9th, but the Mets scored 1 in the top of the inning off of Brad Lidge and were able to close out the game 6-4.
Saturday, the Phillies lost 4-2. Jamie Moyer gave up 2 runs through 6 innings, but Ryan Madson gave up another 2 in the top of the 7th. Those 2 runs proved too much for the Phillies to overcome as Billy Wagner was able to save the game for Oliver Perez. Ryan Howard had another rough day, and now leads the league in strikeouts.
The Phillies take on the Colorado Rockies tonight in about 15 minutes. Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 4.40) takes on Mark Redman (2-1, 4.60). The game is out at Coors so hopefully the ball will travel that extra 10% in the thinner air for us.
