Winning Streak Ends at Five, Mets On Deck

They couldn't do it again, could they? The Phillies batted in the eighth inning, trailing the Nationals 4-1, their five-game winning streak on the line. They stared down the barrel of a 6.4% Win Expectancy. 6.4%? Pshaw! The 2009 Phillies do not fear low probabilities. These Phillies thrive on low probabilities, just as opposing batters have long-thrived upon Washington reliever Kip Wells' pitching stylings. (/Tom McCarthy-esque transition)

With two outs, a 4-1 deficit, and Jayson Werth on second, Raul Ibanez faced Wells. Ibanez, the Titan of WPA, the Vassal of UZR, He Who Shall Not Regress to the Mean. Wells walked the Spanish Jim Thome, as the 5.42 FIPing reliever (in 2008), evidently, feared the possible alternatives. The WE was at 8.6%, as Philadelphia's Bunyanesque folk hero, Matt Stairs, approached the plate as the potential tying run. This is the type of scenario the Phillies envisioned when they surrendered Fabio Castro to acquire the Canadian (Rusty Staub?). The type of scenario where Stairs has been successful so often. Wells delivered the pitch, Stairs swung his powerful club, and grounded out to end the inning. Interim Nats Closer Julian Tavarez held the Phils scoreless in the ninth, and the winning streak was over.

Wednesday's affair was one of those nondescript games that serves mostly to generate statistics. Phillies' starter Brett Myers continued to generate statistics of the mediocre variety, allowing eight hits and three walks in his six-inning stint. Myers did pick up a "quality" start, as he only permitted three runs. Myers threw one hundred and nine pitches, as he scuffled through the Washington lineup. Shane Victorino had a solo homer in the first inning, which accounted for all of Philadelphia's scoring. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard each had a pair of singles, in the Phillies' seven-hit "attack."

The Phillies have Thursday off, before starting a brutal month of May with a series against the Mets. On Friday night. Chan Ho Park will take his 6.43 FIP to the mound, opposing the Mets' Mike Pelfrey (6.63 FIP). Expect to see lots of scoring in a game that should include many of the members of the two respective bullpens. Hopefully, Phillies' closer Brad Lidge will be available to enter the fray. The Phils are probably going to need him.