Small Ball, Great Pitching Gives Phillies Second Straight Win
By: Mike Reisman
Who would have guessed that the Phillies would win two games in a row, scoring a total of only six runs in those two games. Yet, in San Diego, the Phillies have found wins in spectacular pitching, and small ball. Today they were out hit 6 to 3 by the Padres however they still came out on top, winning by a score of 3-1.
Today, Joe Blanton got the start against the Padres, and he stayed very hot, pitching his third straight game with two or less earned runs. He started the game very well, allowing only two runners in scoring position. He was matched by Jon Garland who also pitched a great game. Neither pitcher gave up a run until the 5th inning. Both teams were able to score one run in the 5th, both on singles. However, the go-ahead run would not come until the 7th, when, with Jayson Werth on first, Shane Victorino got his second RBI on a triple to deep center field. Mike Sweeney would score the teams third run, but it was Ruiz who should be credited. He slid into second base hard, breaking up what would be a double play and allowing Victorino to score.
The game would end with that same score of 3-1. Another thing the game would end with? Three straight scoreless innings from the Phillies bullpen. Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson, and (surprisingly) Brad Lidge, each got one strikeout and threw a scoreless inning to finish off the Padres. However, these were not only scoreless innings, but also hitless innings. The Padres could not manage a single base runner in the last three innings. This could not come at a better time for the offensively struggling Phillies. With the bullpen performing well, all the rest of the team needs to do, is score a few runs, and hold the opposition to a few less runs. Now I wouldn't speak to soon but...