Phillies Destroy Bucs

(originally posted 8/17/07)

The Cole Hamels bobblehead improved to 5-2, as the Phillies belted the Pirates, 11-8. Phillies SP J.D. (The Real Deal) Durbin pitched effectively, allowing only two earned runs in six innings in his fifth win. The Phils broke open a 2-1 game with four runs in the fifth, and then four more in the sixth. Pat Burrell went 3 for 3, picking up his 1000th career hit, three RBI, and his 18th homer of the season. Chris Coste and Jimmy Rollins each had three hits, and Aaron Rowand went 2 for 5, with 3 RBI. The Phillies blasted Pirates pitching for sixteen hits. The Bucs tried to come back, bombing Phillies relievers Clay Condrey, Jose Mesa, and Mike Zagurski (all of whom now have ERAs over 5.00), but the deficit (and the Cole bobblehead) were too much to overcome.


The Mets also won, so the NL East deficit remains at three games. But a Braves shutout loss, at the hands of D-Back ace Brandon Webb, extended the Phils' lead over 3rd place Atlanta to a game and a half. If the Astros can beat the Padres (and Jake Peavy) tonight, the Phillies will move into a tie for the Wild Card lead. (Peavy is one of the aces on my fantasy team, so I'm hoping for a low-scoring win for the 'Stros, and a no-decision for Peavy.) The Phillies will go for their third consecutive win Saturday night, sending Jamie Moyer to the mound. In his long career, Moyer has never lost a road game that preceded a concert by The PovertyNeck Hillbillies. With the Phillies streaking, and the Cole Hamels bobblehead in place, Moyer's streak probably won't end Saturday.

EDIT: Peavy pitched seven innings, allowing only one run, and striking out eleven. And got a no decision in the PADRES LOSS! The Phillies are now TIED FOR THE WILD CARD LEAD!