Offense Springs to Life To Get The Phillies a Series Win
By Editorial Staff
The Phillies dropped the series opener to the D-Backs which apparently awakened the sleepy offense to the tune of scoring eight and seven runs respectively. These two wins gave the Phillies a .500 record on their west coast swing. Didn’t it seem like this should have been a lot worse? They were 5-5 and it felt like 1-9. Maybe its the fact that our worst fears have become reality and we can not really deal with the fact that Juan Pierre has apparently become the everyday lead off hitter for this team. Whatever irrational fears are leading us to inch closer to the ledge were allayed, at least for the past two games.
It seems that Vance Worley might be able to avoid a sophomore slump. Obviously it is unrealistic to look at three starts and proclaim that Worley will become an ace, but his overall performance thus far has been extremely encouraging. He didn’t appear to have the same stuff as he did in his last start in San Diego, but he battled through six innings of work, allowing only one run on a Cody Ransom home run. My favorite part about Worley is that he talks shit on opposing batters and looks more like a power lifter than a major league pitcher.
Remember when the Phillies hit home runs? This game was a harbinger to times gone by as Hunter Pence and Laynce Nix hit two run home runs in the same inning. Shane Victorino added a solo shot and Pete Orr hit a triple with the bases loaded. Now most of these shenanigans came against Josh Collmenter making the accomplishment seem diminished slightly, but it was still nice to see them bash the hell out of someone. There were some alarming moments in the contest. Jose Contreras got banged around for three runs in 2/3 on an inning and Collmenter managed to strike out six batters over his six innings of work. Still is was nice to see a 8-5 win for the Phils.
In today’s afternoon game, the offense managed to back Cole Hamels with seven runs. Cole even drove in two runs with a bases loaded single. He is now tied with John Mayberry Jr. with two runs driven in for the season. Not only did Cole tie big John in RBIs, but he pitched the shit out of the ball today. He allowed a lead off double and proceeded to not allow another baserunner until a seventh inning single from Aaron Hill. In all Cole went eight innings allowing four hits, two runs and striking out seven. This is just the type of outing a team requires after Kyle Kendrick ruins everything.
There wasn’t the same home run nostalgia from the offense in this one, but they still managed to throw up a seven spot against Trevor Cahill and the D-backs bullpen. Placido Polanco was 3-3, Hunter Pence had a pair of RBI singles and Carlos Ruiz went 3-4. Chooch also attempted to score from first on a passed ball. Catchers can not run very fast. Shockingly, Ty Wigginton extended his hitting streak to eleven games with a sixth inning single. He is currently hitting .304. Huh?
7-2 Phillies win as they capture their second series win of the young season.
Following an off day, the Phillies return home to face the Chicago Cubs. Paul Haholm goes for the Cubbies against Roy Halladay.