Finally, Roy Oswalt Wins Baseball Game

The haunting boos still bouncing off the corridors of CBP from Kyle Kendrick’s little six run tap dance Monday were more than ready to be recaptured, relabeled, and hurled accurately at Brad Lidge.

Lidge entering the game with a two run lead would have been perfectly fine two years ago, wildly unacceptable one year ago, and in 2010, well, you just sort of sit there and chew on yourself.  It wouldn’t have been all Lidge’s that contributed to a loss; the offense didn’t capitalize on a couple of chances to bolster their adorable little lead.

But nonetheless, Brad was given the ball and the objective to protect our two precious runs with every ounce of “closing” he could muster.  He did it, not even making it interesting.  It is a bit hair-raising that we go through this every time Brad comes in, but you know.

At least he’s not using his father-in-law as a punching bag.

Phillies 2, Dodgers 0

That smarmy Dodgers offense that sprung out of bed yesterday and started break dancing could do nought but lie comatose this evening as the EKG machine let out a long, shrill “BEEEEEEEEP.”

Roy Oswalt was on the attack, going 7 and acing 5.  He walked two and gave up, like, five hits I think–I’m not checking again–so he wasn’t the most dominant wolf in the pack, but he certainly did enough to piss his point across.

This was a rare occurrence of the pitching working in its natural, pristine state; the way it was meant to. This happens with such startling infrequence that one would probably not even remember that the cycle is supposed to go “Starter, set-up man, closer.”

Without seven different pitchers showing up to sew together a patchwork quilt of long inning relief, there can be a crisp, clean win as everyone does their job and J.C. Romero doesn’t storm the field to walk two straight, give up a triple to the pitcher, poop on the mound, and sprint into the clubhouse to scream at himself in the mirror.

But on the way there, he’d have to pass Raul Ibanez and his 18 game hitting streak.  Just another episode of “Why is this happening?” in the Phillies clubhouse, right alongside the latest injury, Ross Gload, who showed signs of a DL trip between first and second.

The aforementioned Ibanez offense came in the form of a delightful double that scored the irascible Mike Sweeney; the second run was courtesy of Dom Brown’s blurry legs beating out a fielder’s choice, allowing Placido Polanco to skirt in from third.

In the midst of a steamy rain, in Philadelphia, let us put together a netowkr of positive vibes for Big Joe Blanton, who stomps to the mound this evening for an outing that could be very well as interesting as KK’s.

Also, keep Ross Gload’s groin in your thoughts.  You know.  As usual.

And that was it.  that was all we needed.  Which is remarkable, when you consider we had the will and the way to score nine whole runs last night and still chalked up an “L.”

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