My Fellow Phans,
I know its still early, but so far-so good for the Phillies starters. Courtesy of two strong starting performances by returning ace Roy Halladay and returning favorite Cliff Lee, the Phillies sit at 2-0 and first place in the National League East.
Phillies: 5 – Astros: 4
On a chilly Friday afternoon that even saw the threat of snow, Halladay took to the mound in the 2011 season opener.
I’m sure nobody will argue with the fact that he did not have his greatest stuff, but as good pitchers always do, Doc found a way to keep his team in the game. Halladay threw 6 innings allowing just an earned run while scattering 5 hits. He struck out 6 and walked 0 in his effort.
Astros’ starter, former Phillie Brett Myers was equally as impressive allowing just a single earned run in 7 innings of work. He allowed just 3 hits and didn’t give up any runs until the 7th inning.
The Phillies entered the 7th trailing 1-0 when the duo of J.C. Romero and David Herndon allowed a trio of runs as the Astros padded to their lead. The Phillies finally got onto the board against Myers in the bottom of the 7th scoring a pair of runs courtesy of a Ryan Howard sac fly and an RBI groundout by Raul Ibanez.
The score remained 4-2 until the bottom of the 9th when the Phillies went to work against Houston closer Brandon Lyon. The inning opened with a pair of singles by Jimmy Rollins and Howard. After Ibanez popped out to 2nd base, Rollins stole third. What followed was a singles barrage. Ben Francisco, Carlos Ruiz, Wilson Valdez, and pinch hitter John Mayberry Jr all singled. Valdez’s single tied the game and Mayberry’s hit proved to be the game winner.
Phillies: 9 – Astros: 4
Cliff Lee made his long awaited return to Philadelphia after the Phillies’ stubborningly traded him away after playing a pivotal role in the team’s 2009 trip to the World Series.
Lee picked up right where he left off in 2009, allowing just 3 earned runs on 4 hits in 7 strong innings of work. Lee struck out 11 and didn’t walk a soul in his outing. He only made you mistake really, a pitch deposited into the seats by Astros’ leftfielder Carlos Lee.
The Phillies offense showed up against Wandy Rodriguez peppering the starter for 7 earned runs in his 4 innings of work.
Sunday: Astros @ Phillies – Roy Oswalt vs. Bud Norris
Analysis: What I took from these games is that the Phillies offense is going to be just fine without Jayson Werth. What the 9th inning and the second game showed is that the Phillies’ lineup is capable of putting up big numbers in bunches.
The most promising sign of the second game was that the Phillies beat a quality left handed pitcher. Howard and Ibanez registered hits against Rodriguez, and showed glimpses that they can indeed handle left handed pitching; something that doomed the Phillies in years past.
The most promising part of this is that everyone in the offense seems to be spreading around the offense. Rollins and Howard each have a pair of hits in the opening two games and a trio of Phillies have 3 hits a piece. They haven’t hit a home run this season, but if the offense keeps up at this pace, that won’t be a serious issue.
The Phillies will get a chance to sweep the Astros as Roy Oswalt faces his former team for the first time. Let’s see if he can keep up the trend of strong pitching performances going.
Until we meet again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!
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