The Bourn Supremacy

(originally posted 7/27/07)
Thursday was not a good day in Philly Town. A crushing loss to the Nationals in a winnable game that would have assured the Phils a three-game series sweep. More disastrous relief pitching. Most demoralizing of all, an injury to All-Star 2B/MVP candidate/potential new doubles in a season record-holder Chase Utley. Thursday morning, things were looking up for the Phils- a Wild Card, or even a Division Title, seemed within reach. By Thursday night, the optimism was fading.

But on Friday, the optimism was back in full force. Ace closer Brett Myers was back in uniform, fresh off a seemingly-interminable stint on the DL. LHRP Mike Zagurski was dispatched to AAA Ottawa. Zags showed a lot of promise in his time in the bigs, but he was miscast when used as more than a LOOGY. He did well, especially considering his sudden promotion from AA, and could be a factor in the Phillies bullpen for years to come. Just not this year. (Hopefully, when he returns, he'll be depicted with the correct skin tone in video games.) Chase Utley's surgery was successful, and it looks like he will only miss about a month. The Phils' schedule isn't too bad during that period, so they should be able to stay in the race. A month of Abraham O. Nunez as the starting second-sacker wasn't exactly something to look forward to- but a surprising trade for former White Sox 2B Tadahito Iguchi brought the Nunez Era to an end after one day. (Still one day too long, but I'll take it.) With the AAAA Pittsburgh Pirates in town, and John Van Benschoten (0-3, 8.17 ERA), the Phils were primed to make us forget about Utley. At least for a day.

It didn't take long for the Phillies to start beating the hell out of the Pirates. The first three batters in the bottom of the first reached, loading the bases for sluggers Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell. Unfortunately they both struck out, giving Van Benschoten hope that he may escape the inning unscathed. Not so fast Van Ben. Third-baseman Greg Dobbs smacked a two-run single, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead. The Pirates never got any closer. 87 yr. old Jamie Moyer pitched superbly, holding the Bucs to only one run in seven innings. The Phillies knocked Van Ben out of the game with a six-run third inning. The highlight was a 2-run blast by LF Pat Burrell, his 13th HR of the season. Burrell continued his absolutely torrid July with a 2 for 3, 3 RBI night. In June, Burrell hit .129, with a .550 OPS. In July, he is hitting .446, with a 1.357 OPS. (No, those are not typos, folk(s).) With Utley out, Patrick Brian Burrell needs to produce. He's done a pretty good job of that so far this month.

The Phillies took an 8-1 lead into the 8th, when the rains came. The game was called, robbing us of a stirring denouement, with Myers returning to the mound to finish up the victory. Depriving CF Michael Bourn (4 for 4) of a chance at a five-hit game. But the victory moved the Phils to within 4 games of the division-leading Mets, and within two games of the Wild Card-leading Padres.

It has been a tough few days for the Phillies. From the high of Wednesday night's dramatic extra-inning victory, on Ryan Howard's walk-off HR, to the low of the painful loss on Thursday, and the painful injury to Chase Utley. But sixty games remain in the season, so there's plenty of time to catch the Braves and the Mets. Utley should be back for the stretch run in September. Until then, it's Iguchi Time!