Oswalt is magical once again, Phils win 9-1 over Nats

When the Phillies sent JA Happ packing for Houston many Phillies fans, including myself, thought it might come back to haunt Philadelphia.  Up to this point, Rube looks to be spot on.  Roy Oswalt (13-13, 2.90 ERA) earned his seventh straight win for the Phillies going six innings and allowing just one run.  In his 10 starts since coming over from Houston, the Phillies are 9-1.

The Phillies didn’t wait long tonight to get the scoring going.  Jason Marquis started the game off getting Shane Victorino out.  I have nothing good left to say about Marquis’ outing.  It lasted only one third of the first inning.  By the time he took his spot in the dugout he was charged with six runs and six hits.

Placido Polanco started it in the first hitting a single to center.  After Chase Utley walked, Ryan Howard singled to load the bases.  Jayson Werth added an infield single scoring Polanco and moving the runners up.  Three more singles by Raul Ibanez, Wilson Valdez and Roy Oswalt added four more runs.  The final run of the first came on a fielder’s choice by Shane Victorino.

That was all Oswalt needed.  He struck out seven Nationals while throwing 97 pitches.  Oswalt’s start was moved up a day to allow for the big three of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Oswalt to throw against the Braves starting Monday.  This move will also line them up to pitch the final series against Atlanta to end the season.

The Phillies still have a three game lead over the Braves in the NL East who kept pace by beating the Mets tonight.  Kyle Kendrick will take Oswalt’s place tomorrow on the mound.