Joe Blanton squared off against Jason Hammell this afternoon as the Phils looked to complete a 4 game sweep of the Rockies. Blanton did his part. He was touched up for a couple of runs in the first inning but tossed 5 scoreless innings from there. All told on the day he allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits which is a solid effort out of a pitcher who has been having an up and down year. After Blanton surrendered the 2-0 advantage at the onset, the Phils came right back, with some help from the Rockies, to take a 3-2 lead. Brian Schneider ripped a 1 out 2 run triple and Jason Giambi, somewhat uncharacteristically, committed back to back errors for the 3 runs.
Later, right after Blanton finished his night, the Phils extended their lead to 5-2 with back to back RBI singles by Placido Polanco and Raul Ibanez. That at least seemed like a safe enough lead for the Phils bullpen to hang on to. J.C Romero and Chad Durbin did infact kept it to 5-2 heading into the 9th with scoreless frames in the 7th and 8th innings. Finally in the 9th it was once again time for Brad Lige to finish off the night. Once again he almost didn't. Seth Smith slammed a 2 run, 2 out homer to cut it to 5-4. Then a walk and a single later and Jason Giambi was at the plate with a chance to put C0lorado back ahead with one swing. Lidge wisely walked Giambo and then finally ended the proceedings by getting Ryan Spillborghs to ground out. So the Phils have their 5th win in a r0w and now pull within 4,5 games of 1st in the NL East. Not bad, considering all they have gone through this season thus far.
1 comment:
I'm impressed with how the Phillies keep winning these close games although Brad Lidge never seems to be able to make them have comfortable finishes but I'll take a win any way it comes.
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