Roy Oswalt Stumbles in His First Start Since Injury, Allows Giants to Avoid Sweep
By: Mike Reisman
The road to recovery is never easy, especially when what you're recovering a bulging disc in your back, exactly what Phillies fourth ace Roy Oswalt sustained in June. When it came time for Oswalt to begin his rehab starts, Oswalt said he felt good enough that he only needed one rehab appearance before returning to the majors. However, Oswalt needed two starts before he was ready. Though most people thought Oswalt would be totally ready and able to take on the Giants today, he wasn't, struggling through his six innings, allowing 12 hits.
Oswalt's game wasn't a total failure though, holding the Giants to only three runs, and stranding five Giants in scoring position. He also struck out four batters, a highlight of his return. However, Roy Oswalt (or "little Roy") had to face the Giants ace and two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum who pitched like the All-Star he is. Lincecum held the Phillies to just one run and seven hits. He also rendered the struggling slugger Ryan Howard useless, striking him out three times in three chances.
Despite not winning, not sweeping, and not continuing their nine-game winning streak, the Phillies proved this series that they can defeat the Giants. Throughout the series, the Phillies held the Giants to just 1.5 runs per game, scoring nine more runs than the Giants in the series. The Phillies have shown that they are a better team than the Giants offensively, and though the Giants have great pitching, the Phillies aces will most likely be able to match them. This series should give the Phillies some real confidence in case they have to face the Giants in the playoffs, a very real possibility.
The Phillies will have to face the Dodgers next, a team that is very beatable. With an eight and a half game lead in the NL East, this series could help the Phillies maximize their distance from the Braves, possibly even putting them in position to be eliminated in mid-September.