Phils Come-From-Behind (Again) to Beat Marlins

This season's edition of the Phillies has shown a propensity to allow home runs, and fall behind early in games. Consistently mediocre starting pitching has gifted the Phillies' offense with many opportunities for come-from-behind wins. On Saturday night in Florida, Phils' starter Chan Ho Park turned a 2-0 lead in the top of the 4th, into a 4-2 deficit after four innings. But Philadelphia came back from a 4-3 deficit in the ninth (16.9% WE), to win in ten innings, 6-4. The victory improved the Phils' record to 8-8, with the Phillies having trailed in every game.

Philadelphia jumped to an early 2-0 lead, against Marlins' starter Chris Volstad (2.70 ERA), on home runs from sluggers Chan Ho Park and Ryan Howard. Park hasn't done too well with the pitching so far, but maybe he can add some value as a bat off the bench. He probably has more pop that Miguel Cairo. The Phils squandered some chances for big innings (2-11 w/RISP), but those two hits, singles by Chase Utley and Jayson Werth in the tenth inning, gave them enough runs to win.

Chan Ho Park was much improved over his previous (horrendously atrocious) starts. He allowed four runs, on two home runs (of course) in the fourth inning, but did not permit a run in the other six innings he worked. Seven innings, five hits, one walk, four runs, these are numbers we can live with from a fifth starter. Park retired nine of the first ten, and twelve of the last fourteen, batters he faced. Hopefully, Park can put up that type of performance in future starts.

Brad Lidge held the 6-4 lead in the tenth inning, striking out the side, and picking up his fourth save. Unfortunately, he also loaded the bases on a pair of walks. He struck out Cody Ross to end the game, and did not allow a run, but a thirty-four pitch (seventeen strike) inning does not exactly inspire confidence. Ryan Madson picked up his second win, with a scoreless, two strikeout ninth inning.

The Phillies go for the sweep Sunday afternoon, with Marlin-killer Jamie Moyer (11-1) opposed by Marlins rookie Graham Taylor. Taylor, not to be confused with the English footballer of some note, has never pitched above AA, and is more of a pitch-to-contact type, than an overpowering hurler. His left-handedness may have been a big factor in his recall. This should be a good chance for the Phillies to take an early lead, and actually keep it for the entire game. A patient approach could help knock Taylor out of the game early, and the Phils could be able to fatten their stats against the rookie, and the Marlins' pen. A sweep against the Marlins would improve the Phils' record to 9-8, with a three-game series at CBP against the lowly NatInals to follow. This is a prime opportunity for the Phillies to make up for the poor start to the 2009 season.