Phils Bite the Diamondbacks
The Phils completed a three-game sweep of the NL West leading Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday and finished 5-2 on their west coast swing. They also improved to 8-1 on getaway day – the last game of a road series. Sal Fasano lead the team to the 7-3 victory by going 4-4 and missed only the elusive triple to complete a cycle. His offensive breakout helped to raise his average by .034 to a respectable .281. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard also homered and the Phillies record now stands at 14-4 when Ryan Howard hits at least one home run in a game. David Dellucci, Shane Victornio and Abraham Nunez all got starts yesterday but went just 1-10 with Shane recording the only hit.
The best news however was the quality start put forth by Ryan Madson who pitched 7 and 2/3 innings allowed three run while walking none. Madson took his time on the mound and for the first time all season approached the game with a starting pitcher’s mentality. He explained, "I’d throw three innings and go out there for the fourth and it would be like, ‘God, it feels like I’ve thrown eight innings, nine innings already.”’ To combat this mental fatigue he divided the game into chapters lasting 3 inning apiece. "Little thoughts like that help me pitch deeper in the ballgame. They keep my mind off every little detail that makes it seem like a long game," Madson said. "I’m kind of weird that way." Yea you are, Ryan, but if that helps you pitch better, by all means do it. He’ll definitely need to be sharp next time out as he will oppose the Mets’ Tom Glavine – the league’s first nine game winner – in Philly this Tuesday. Tonight, though, the Phils are in DC as Eude Brito gets another chance to make his case for a regular rotation spot.
