Alright, the Phillies have now won two straight series but it could be too little too late. The Braves have caught us and the Marlins are nipping at our heels. It’s time to make a move or give things up. And that would include ditching Charlie Manual.
On Friday, Ryan Howard had a nice game despite the loss. Howard went two for four with his 29th homerun and two RBIs. Outside of a sac. fly by Bobby Abreau, that was all of the offense the Phillies got. Jon Lieber got roughed up in his start. He gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits and five walks through 5 1/3 innings. He’s now 3-7 on the season.
The Phillies turned things around Saturday. Pat Burrell turned on the offense and he had four hits and four RBIs, including his 20th homerun. Howard went deep with homerun number 30 and the Phillies had eighteen hits and seven runs in the 14-6 blowout win. Cory Lidle picked up the easy win and he gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and four walks with two strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
Yesterday was the return of Bret Myers. Myers picked up the win in a solid start and he gave up two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts through seven innings. David Bell went deep for the Phillies and he drove in two runs. Aaron Rowand went two for four with two RBIs and a run.
It’s time for an extended winning streak like the Phillies had in late April/early May. Next up is the first place Padres before the Phillies come home for an important (although I guess they all are) three game series against the Braves.
