Phillies Avoid Sweep with Wild Win at Coors
The Phillies held on for a wild 10-9 win at Coors Field to avoid a sweep by the Rockies.
-Ryan Howard went 4-for-5, coming thisclose to hitting for the cycle. His fourth hit was called a single and an error by rightfielder Brandon Barnes. Close call, but I think it was the right one. Good to see him get his stroke going, but will it last?
-Marlon Byrd knocked in two runs, but also struck out twice more. We’ll be discussing that on Phillies Nation TV on Tuesday.
-Jimmy Rollins finished 3-for-4 with a walk and also homered, his third of the season. He pushed his on-base percentage to a robust and un-Jimmy-like .370.
-There’s gotta be concern about Roberto Hernandez and his inability to work deep into games. Ryne Sandberg pulled him after just four innings and 75 pitches; Hernandez allowed six runs on nine hits.
-The Bullpen did it’s best to burn the offense on this day. Jake Diekman allowed a two-run homer to lefty Justin Morneau in the seventh, the first a lefty has ever hit off him. It was also only the fourth homer he’s allowed in his major league career. Antonio Bastardo also gave up a run in the eighth to make it a one run game. Jonathan Papelbon closed it out with a shaky ninth, putting two runners on before getting out of it on a gem of a pick at first base by John Mayberry for out number three.
-Mario Hollands continues to be a hell of a find. He pitched another scoreless frame, his ERA stands at 2.16.
-Troy Tulowitzki destroyed the Phillies in this series, going 8-for-10 with 6 RBI. Kid is a stud and should be an MVP candidate if he can finally stay healthy. Big fan of his game as well as Carlos Gonzalez’s, another guy who can’t seem to stay completely healthy.
