Average Pitchers Duel, Francisco Wins Game With Single
By Editorial Staff
I think that pitchers duels are considerably more interesting when the pitchers involved are quality major league starters. I like Vance Worley, he looks like he can be a solid back of the rotation starter, but there is no way that a pitcher of his caliber should carry a no hitter into the top of the sixth inning. His counterpart, Guillermo Moscoso can best be depicted using his strikeout to walk ratio; twelve to fourteen. He also carried a no hitter further than he should have.
Watching two average pitchers face two WAY below average offenses is a one way ticket to sleepy-town. This game was really hard to watch.
There were a bunch of really good defensive plays in this one to keep both offenses off of the board. Hideki Matsui broke up Worley’s no hit bid with a well struck single to center that was just out of the reach of a diving Shane Victorino. Placido Polanco got to Moscoso with a bloop single to center. Neither team did anything with either baserunner. As stated previously, this one was tough to watch.
The score was 0-0 entering the bottom of the ninth inning. Brian Fuentes has spent some time closing for the A’s, filling in for Andrew Bailey. Fuentes has not been good as illustrated by his 1-7 record. The Phillies finally put a runner in scoring position as Shane Victorino walked and Domonic Brown singled. Brian Schieder, fresh off of the disabled list, moved the runners up with a groundout. Ben Fransisco hit a high chop over the drawn in third baseman to score Victorino and win the game.
Finding an offensive star for this game does not prove to be an easy task. Domonic Brown was 2-2 with two walks including a single off of a left handed reliever.
What the hell is going to happen when the Phils go up against someone who can pitch? We will find out as the Phils go up against sinker baller Trevor Cahill. Cole Hamels goes for the Phils.