The first game of Saturday's doubleheader could not have gone much better for the Phillies. Brett Myers chowed down on seven quality, bullpen-saving innings. Brad Lidge got a, hopefully, confidence-building save. Raul Ibanez hit two more homers, as the Phils jumped to an early lead. Carlos Ruiz and Chase Utley got well-deserving days off, without tragic consequences. The Phillies 8-5 win over the Nationals put the Phils in position to go for the doubleheader (and the series) sweep.
With the bullpen used heavily on Friday night, and Drew Carpenter making his first MLB start on Saturday night, it was crucial for Myers to go deep into Saturday's matinee. Myers rose to the occasion, pitching seven innings. It wasn't seven "Blanton-style" innings, either. Myers allowed only two runs, on three hits and two walks. He had eight strikeouts, throwing one-hundred and eight pitches (seventy strikes). Of course, there were the obligatory home runs allowed, two in this case, but they were solo shots, and he surrendered only one other hit. Myers pitched like an ace, deserving of a big free agent payday, in this one.
With a 8-2 lead, and a 98.9% WE, in the bottom of the eighth, Manager Charlie Manuel was able to use Jack Taschner to finish the game. This saved the more useful components of the bullpen for the nightcap. Actually, Manuel opted to use his very best reliever, Ryan Madson. IN. EXPLICABLE. But, Madson would only require seven pitches in a scoreless eighth inning, and should be available for the second game. NOPE. That didn't happen, either. Madson struggled in the low leverage outing, and the Nats pulled to within 8-5. Brad Lidge came on in the ninth, less than sixteen hours after blowing another save opportunity. Villainous National Willie Harris got another ninth-inning hit off Lidge, but Lidge retired the other three batters he faced. It was good for Lidge to have some success again, but the availability of Madson and Lidge for the second game is now in serious doubt.
The second game has all the potential makings of a crazy, high-scoring, lengthy battle. Drew Carpenter makes his first MLB start for the Phillies, despite being mostly ineffective in AAA this season. The Nats will start Daniel Cabrera, who is well-known for his ability to implode at any time. Cabrera was with Baltimore last season, but the pitching-poor Orioles determined that they were better off with the likes of Adam Eaton. Cabrera has never met a batter he couldn't walk, has serious issues when facing left-handed hitters, has difficulties with his control on a regular basis, and isn't exactly known for having an even temperament. Cabrera's batting skills are even less well-developed, as he would make The Great Don Carman look like a Silver Slugger, by comparison. Expect to see lots of left-handed-batting Phillies, and oodles of runs for both teams. (As well as more Phillies fans than Nats' fans, at the Nationals home park.)
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