Phils Offense Comes Alive to Split Series

After failing to score more than three runs in the first three games of the series, the Phillies offense powered its way past the Dodgers last night to split the four-game series. After winning the first game, Brad Lidge blew the next two games, wasting good starts by Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer.

In the first game of the series, Cole Hamels went to work once again, this time shutting out the Dodgers on 97 pitches. He got runs from Ryan Howard's sacrifice fly, Raul Ibanez's RBI double, and Jayson Werth's RBI single.

Hamel's game was such a thing of beauty. He went the distance, striking out five and surrendering four hits and a walk. He also only allowed one runner into scoring position as he got plenty of help from his defense with a pair of double plays early in the game. He mixed his deadly change-up well with fastballs and curveballs to keep the Dodgers hitters off balance.

In the second game, things didn't go so hot for the Phillies. Moyer was fantastic, going seven innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He also struck out three. Up 3-2 going into the ninth, Lidge put two men on but had two outs. He forced a groundball to Pedro Feliz who booted it to load the bases. Next batter was Andre Ethier who hit the shot over Eric Bruntlett's head in right field to win it for the Dodgers.

The third game, as Yogi Berra would say it, "was deja-vu all over again." Holding a 2-1 lead in the ninth, Lidge gave up a home run to pinch hitter Rafael Furcal, his sixth blown save of the season. The ball just barely got past Werth's out-stretched arm. Chad Durbin would surrender the walk-off homer by Andre Ethier in the 12th.

Last night's game was a show as the Phillies dominated from start to finish. Antonio Bastardo took the mound for his second career start and pitched a good follow-up performance. He went five innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and fanning four. He got the win, starting his career 2-0. He is doing an excellent job at petitioning to the Phillies that they do not need any other help until the deadline.

Charlie Manuel shook up the offense by leading off with Shane Victorino and dropping Rollins down to sixth. It worked well as the offense featured some fire works from homers by Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, and Howard. Chan Ho Park pitched three strong innings in relief, giving up only one hit.

Series MVP's:

Dodgers: Ethier - 6-16, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 4 RBI's, 2 walk-off hits

Phillies: Hamels - 9 IP, CG, SHO, 5 K's, 5 hits

Next Series: @ New York Mets

6/9: Happ (4-0, 2.48); Santana (7-3, 2.00)

6/10: Hamels (4-2, 4.40), Pelfrey (4-2, 4.85)

6/11 Moyer (4-5, 6.27), Redding (0-2, 6.97)