Michael Pineda, Mariners End Phillies' Win Streak at Seven Games
By: Mike Reisman
Tonight the Phillies looked to beat the Seattle Mariners, and win their eighth straight game, a streak that would be the longest of the year. Unfortunately for the Phillies, they would have the task of defeating the Mariner's rookie star Michael Pineda, a task that only three teams have been able to accomplish. The Phillies would try to counter the ace with with Roy Oswalt, who has been good, but not great this year.
Neither team would score until the 3rd inning, when Brendan Ryan triple would give the M's a 1-0 lead. They would double their lead in the 4th with a Miguel Olivo home run, and they would add another run in the 5th, with a Justin Smoak sacrifice fly, making the score 3-0.
Pineda would control the Phillies, holding them hitless through 5.2 innings, however, in the 6th the Phillies would get two hits and a run on a Chase Utley single. The Mariners would counter with a Ryan single in the 7th, making the score 4-1. The Phillies would add a run on a Shane Victorino home run, however, they wouldn't be able to complete a comeback and would lose 4-2. Oswalt would get the loss making him 4-5, and Pineda would get his seventh win.
Though the Phillies lost tonight, this loss isn't a huge deal, especially considering the circumstances. The Phillies came into this game on a large win streak that was bound to end eventually. Combine that with a long flight to Seattle, and a phenomenal pitcher and you have a recipe for disaster. Like expected, Pineda was great, allowing just two hits and one run over six innings. He struck out five, and though the stats may be a little inflated due to the Phillies lack of sleep, he still pitched a very good game.
For the Phillies, Roy Oswalt was decent, allowing eight hits and four runs over 6.1 innings. Though this is nothing special, Oswalt hasn't had a great year, and these types of games are going to happen occasionally. Oswalt's best games are probably not going to be much better, probably about seven innings, four or five hits, and two runs, especially at this point in his career.
The Phillies will try again tomorrow against the reigning AL Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez. He will have the steep challenge of facing the Phillies Cy Young contender Cole Hamels. The game is slated to start at 10:10 PM.