Only Run of the Game Helps Phillies Walk Off Against Athletics
By: Mike Reisman
It's funny how quickly things can change. Just one day after allowing a season high 12 runs to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Phillies came home to begin a three game series with an Oakland Athletics team that had won six of eight games coming into a series. However, with Vance Worley on the mound the Phillies would have absolutely no problem shutting down the A's, holding them to just two hits, and not allowing them to earn any runs.
Worley would start against A's right-hander Guillermo Moscoso, who came into the game with a respectable 3.30 ERA. However, he and Worley would both play much better than their stats suggested, dueling each other, and only allowing a combined two hits through the first six innings. Worley would get lifted in the 7th, allowing the Phillies bullpen to take control, leaving off where Worley began allowing only one more hit, and a total of two base runners in the last three innings.
The A's wouldn't give in either until the 9th, when Ben Fransisco would score the game's only run, a walk-off single. Michael Stutes would get the win for his one inning, two strikeout performance.
Coming into the game, the A's and Phillies had the 3rd and 2nd best pitching respectively, so it's not surprising that neither staff would budge tonight. Though Worley's performance was good, the bullpen was the key to the win, giving the offense ample to score, something that was needed in this defensive struggle.
Though the Phillies offense was sub-par for a team that many consider the best in the league, they can't be totally blamed for tonight's performance. Though the team only earned four hits, they were patient, drawing six walks and striking out just twice. You also have to consider that they were facing an A's team that would be incredible if their pitching ability could translate to their offense. The offense just needs to accept tonight as an off day, and just get back to work tomorrow.
The Philles come back tomorrow at 7:05, with Cole Hamels looking for his 10th win against Trevor Cahill.