Phils Beat Bucs in Second to Last Game That Doesn’t Matter

ON DECK SERIES!  Doesn’t typing in all caps make things more important?  No?  Are you sure?  Am I talking to a blinking cursor and the internet?  Yes.

The Phillies played the Pirates today.  The pitching matchup featured Roy Oswalt for the Phils and Ross Ohlendorf for the Pirates.  Oswalt gave up five runs in four innings today.  Luckily, he was opposed by a pitcher that gave up six runs in four innings.  Oswalt was a little wild (four free passes in four innings), but he showed no ill effects from the vicious attack by Manny Ramirez.

Just a guess here, but I am fairly certain that this will become a trend for the Pirates this season.  I am using the past nineteen years as evidence to derive my conclusion on the Pirates pitching staff is going to be substandard.  On a positive note for Pirates fans, Ohlendorf is a funny name.

Ben Francisco homered and Luis Castillo had another pretty good game.  Luis stole a base, went 2-4 and even drove in a run.  Jimmy Rollins went 1-2 with two RBIs, stole a base and, most importantly, he looks healthy.

After Oswalt left the game, the relief corps combined to go five scoreless innings, including Michael Stutes striking out the side in the ninth inning.  Stutes has been really impressive this spring sporting a 0.62 ERA.  With Lidge’s arm in the final stages of falling off, Michael is making a push to become the final member of the bullpen and carrier of the pink backpack.

The Phillies went on to win the game 8-5.

There is one more of these ON DECK games tomorrow night.  Friday is Phils opening day.  I think we are all ready.   I am completely running out of shit to say about games that don’t count.