The Phils continued their series with Pirates tonight. Cole Hamels got the start and delivered his 1st quality performance in some time, going 8 shutout innings, while allowing 7 hits and striking out 7. Meanwhile, Chase Utley slammed a solo homer in the top of the 1st for a quick1-0 lead. Thanks to a perfect 8th inning by Ryan Madson and the Phils blowing a golden opportunity to tack on runs in the top of the inning, it was still 1-0 heading into the bottom of the 9th. Unfortunately Madson couldn't hold the lead, as Brandon Moss slugged a 1 out game tying homer, for the Phils 2nd blown save in a row. This time however, Madson got out of the inning without further damage. Then in the top of the 10th Ryan Howard provided the saving blow with a 1 out 3 run homer to put the Phils up 4-1. Madson then closed it out in the 10th inning for the 4-1 win. So as I said there just isn't anything the Phils can do about their closer situation right now. Not even Ryan Madson can close games for them right now. Ryan Howard continues to impress with yet another clutch hit. Hopefully this start will be the beginning of Hamel's resurgence because the Phils are going to need him to continue to pitch like this down stretch. Anyway so the Phils move to 73-51 overall now and still 7 games up in the NL East.
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2 comments:
If Madson blew the save in the 9th does it count as a save since he closed out the 10th? On the closing front I think Madson should get another shot seeing that Lidge has blown 9 but I guess we'll see what the skipper thinks.
-to ph1llysports
It does not count as save, just a win. You can't save your own game. The fact is Madson has now blown 5 saves. So he's not far behind Lidge. Also Madson has only saved 4 games. So he's actually blown more games than he's saved. He'll be a good closer someday but he's just not ready yet.
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