Giants Down Phillies, Making for an Interesting Rubber Match
By: Mike Reisman
Whenever someone beats you at something, especially something important, things become tense. Whether it's that awkward moment when you see the guy who stole your girlfriend, that uncomfortable feeling of going home with your friend after he beat you one on one in a game of basketball, or, in the Phillies case, the heated rivalry that develops when the team that stomped on your championship hopes comes into town, it's nearly impossible to pretend their isn't tension. Tonight, after easily defeating the San Francisco Giants last night Phillies fans were ready to watch their hometown team prove, once and for all that last year's early playoff exit was just a fluke. However, with All-Star Matt Cain on the mound, it wouldn't be an easy to beat the reigning world champions.
The Phillies countered Matt Cain with an All-Star of their own, Cole Hamels. However, very similarly to last year's NLCS performance, Hamels pitched well, but he made mistakes, giving up a 3rd inning triple to former Phillie Aaron Rowand putting the Phillies in an early hole. However, Hamels would allow just three hits through the 7th inning, however one would produce a run, putting the Phillies in a 2-0 hole. All things considered, Hamels pitched a gem, striking out six over 7.2 innings, walking just one batter. He only allowed six, hits, but gave up two runs, a number that the Phillies batters couldn't match.
Hamels counterpart, Matt Cain would also pitch well though holding the Phillies to just four hits over his seven innings. Though he only struck out one batter, he dominated the Phillies, giving up just one run on a Domonic Brown single that took a big hop that the Giants' Aubrey Huff couldn't handle. He bettered Hamels, leaving the door wide open, just for Giants closer Brian Wilson to close. The Giants won 2-1, giving Cain his ninth win of the year.
Obviously, the two game split the Phillies and Giants have had this series sets up a heated, intense game three. But a transaction completed during the game may make tomorrow's contest even interesting. At about 7:40, ESPN reported the Giants had made a deal to acquire the Mets' Carlos Beltran who was widely considered to be the best player available at the trade deadline. Beltran will be available for tomorrow's game, bringing in a fierce rival to an already heated series. The arrival of Beltran will also add to the Giants line-up who will be facing Kyle Kendrick, probably the worst of the Phillies stellar pitching staff. Even worse is that Tim Lincecum will finally be ready to start tomorrow's game, creating what seems to be a tough situation for the Phillies. It will take a little more than a good start from the Phillies 5th starter to win, and it should make for an interesting contest.
The highly anticipated rubber match of this series will take place tomorrow at 7:05.