For the first game of the day/night double header Charlie Manuel had given Jimmy Rollins the day off. He had been in a slump collecting only four hits in his last 30 at bats. For the nightcap, Rollins was reinserted into the lineup but not in his usual lead-off spot. That role was given to Shane Victorino.
Victorino did not let this chance go to waste. He went 3-5 as the top of the Phillies lineup exploded for seven hits and five RBIs between Victorino, Placido Polanco and Chase Utley. Rollins did have a hit batting in the fifth spot ahead of Raul Ibanez; who had two hits himself.
The five runs the Phillies put up in the second inning provided some breathing room for Roy Oswalt (11-13, 3.09) to do work. Oswalt pitched seven innings and allowed six hits and four runs. He struck out seven but did give up three home runs. Phillies’ starting pitchers have now given up nine home runs in the past four games. Brad Lidge pitched a scoreless ninth to get his 21st save. He is now 11 for his last 12 in save chances.
The Phillies offense managed to win this game and score seven runs without the use of the long ball. Something they have depended on in year’s past. The Phils are getting help from their pitching staff boasting a team ERA of 3.76 which is good for sixth best in the National League.
With the win tonight, the Phillies are now only a 1/2 game back of the Braves in the NL East and still 1 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco for the Wild Card.
Worth noting: Domonic Brown did get the start tonight in right field. While he didn’t collect any hits he did manage to stretch the pitchers collecting two walks in four at bats.
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