I guess it could have been worse considering we needed to win the final game to make it a 2-2 split. The good news is, the Braves have hit the skids and we now have second place to ourselves again. Problem is, the Mets have now extended their NL East lead to 4 1/2 games.
On Thursday, Gavin Floyd was hit hard and early. By the end of the fourth inning, Floyd was on the bench and the Dodgers had a 7-0 lead. The Phillies threw together two runs in the top of the ninth to make it 7-2, but they never really threatened. Bobby Abreau and David Bell both had two hits.
The Phillies outhit the Dodgers on Friday. Chase Utley went four for four with a solo homerun and three runs and Ryan Howard hit his 19th dinger of the season and he scored twice. Ryan Madson didn’t get a decision and he was knocked around. He gave up five runs in five innings. Geoff Geary picked up the win and Tom Gordon notched save number 16.
Saturday’s game was pretty close to Thursday’s, only the Dodgers scored one more run (8-2). Eude Brito was hit hard in an emergency start after Gavin Floyd was sent down to the minors and the Phillies were held to only two hits. In fact, the Dodgers scored all they needed, and outhit the Phillies, with just their first inning numbers.
Today, Chase Utley single home a run in the eighth that broke a 3-3 tie. The Phillies scored two more that inning, and while the Dodger threatened in the ninth, we took home a 6-4 win. Utley also homered for the eleventh time this season earlier in the game and Jimmy Rollins scored twice. Bret Myers failed to get a decision after yet another solid start. Geary did get the win and he’s now 3-0. Gordon got into trouble in the ninth but picked up his 17th save of the season.
The Diamondbacks are on deck for three as the Phillies continue their west coast road trip. The Diamondbacks stand atop the NL West and at this point, all we can do is keep on winning to keep up with the Mets. Good news though as Randy wolf has started his rehab assignment. Boy could we use him in the rotation.
