One word: Prodigious Power

(originally posted 6/12/07)
It seems like the Phillies never run on all cylinders. They have a bad outing by their starting pitcher. Or a lead-blowing bullpen implosion. Sometimes it's the offense, stranding hordes of baserunners, and/or accumulating hordes of strikeouts. On other days, an antimatter containment issue is the culprit.

But tonight, thanks to Phillies SP Adam Eaton, a worldwide television audience was able to enjoy a rather delightful Phillies victory, 3-0 over the Chicago White Sox. Eaton pitched seven scoreless innings, surrendering only four hits and three walks. He improved his record to 7-4, and his ERA to 5.42. The acquisition of Eaton has been frequently criticized in this space, as there were likely better uses for the $24.5 million over three years that the Phillies will pay the mediocre RHP. (Perhaps bullpen help, warp coils, or TastyKakes?) Tonight, he pitched like a $24.5 million over ONE year pitcher.

The Phillies' offense consisted of solo HRs by Pat Burrell (8th), Jimmy Rollins (11th), and Ryan Howard (13th). The fabulous ESPN announcing team had "one word: prodigious power" to say about Howard's long blast. Mike Zagurski (3.38 ERA) and Antonio Alfonseca (3.62) preserved the shutout, pitching the eight and ninth, respectively. Alfonseca recorded his fifth save in six opportunities. He currently has an impressive save-to-finger ratio of .417.

The ESPN crew of Dave O'Brien and Rick Sutcliffe wasn't bad, and Erin Andrews performed ably in the Tina Cervasio-role. (Though she seemed somehow out of place in Ashburn Alley. I don't think she exactly rivals Amalie Benjamin in the area of baseball knowledge.) It was a good win for the Phillies, and the fact that it was broadcast on ESPN will help the world become accustomed to Phillies victories. Because the World will be seeing a lot of them. In the 2007 Series. Four of them, to be exact.