Phils Sweep Series From Nats With 8-6 Win

On Friday afternoon, as the Phillies celebrated their 2008 World Championship at The White House, Andrew Carpenter was a scuffling AAA starter with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Sergio Escalona was pitching well for the Phillies, the Phillies of the AA Reading variety. By the time the weekend ended, Carpenter and Escalona each had their first major league victory, and the Phillies had completed a four-game sweep of the Nationals. How unlikely was the preceding scenario? Probably more unlikely than Pedro Feliz' four-walk game last week. But probability is just a number to the 2009 Phillies.

The Phillies and Nats continued their tradition of interminably long slopfests, with little to no pitching, on Sunday. The Phillies' 8-6 victory featured five runs allowed by each starting pitcher. However, Escalona and the Phillies' bullpen held the Nats to a single run after the second inning.

Washington's bullpen turned a 6-5 eighth-inning lead into a 8-6 deficit, with some assistance from their shoddy defense. The turning point of the game was when Pedro Feliz bunted the ball near the mound. It appeared that third-baseman Ryan Zimmerman would field the ball, but reliever Julian Tavarez did, instead. Tavarez threw the ball in the direction of second-baseman Anderson Hernandez, who was covering first. Hernandez watched Zimmerman fail to field the ball, and Tavarez' throw went down the right field line. The first base ballgirl took the best route towards the ball, and had the best angle for a throw to the plate, but she was run off the ball by UZR-deficient RF Adam Dunn. Dunn's throw home was late, and the go-ahead run scored.

The comeback was made possible by Chan Ho Park's worst start as a Phillie. Park retired four batters, walked four batters, allowed five hits, and five runs. He needed sixty-three pitches to get those four outs, and raised his ERA to 7.08. Park had saved his spot in the rotation with consecutive good starts, but now he is likely one bad start away from swapping roles with reliever J.A. Happ.

Park's line would have been worse, if Jack Taschner hadn't stranded two of the three runners he inherited from Park. Yep. The same Jack Taschner who was ignored by Manuel on Friday and Saturday, came through with two and two-thirds scoreless innings, keeping the Phils in the game. (Taschner's ERA is now 3.86, and perhaps General Manager Ruben Amaro should try to deal Taschner now, as his value will likely never be higher.)

Chad Durbin followed, allowing one run over two innings. With the Phils trailing 6-5, and the bottom of the Nats' order due in the seventh, Manuel tabbed Escalona to make his major league debut. Escalona pitched a scoreless inning, and gave way to Scott Eyre, who took the game into the ninth. (Ryan Madson was unavailable, having pitched three days in a row, including his appearance on Saturday with a six-run lead. Clay Condrey had pitched two days in a row, and, presumably, wasn't available either.)

Closer Brad Lidge probably shouldn't have been available either, having pitched three days in a row, and on four of five days. Given his recent injury, he probably shouldn't have even been permitted to warm up. But Manuel brought Lidge in with a two-run ninth inning lead, one out, and a runner on second. Two pitches, and a double play later, the Phillies were victorious. Hopefully, the consecutive saves will have a positive effect on Lidge's confidence, and the recent overuse won't have a deleterious effect on the reliever's health.

The Phillies have Monday off, before continuing their road trip in Cincinnati on Tuesday. Cole Hamels will make the start, on his regular day. Jamie Moyer will be pushed back, and start Wednesday, with an extra day of rest. It's a good move to get the struggling Moyer an extra day, and it's prudent keep Hamels on his regular schedule. Micah Owings, perhaps better known for his hitting exploits, will take the mound for the Reds. Meanwhile, the New York Mets will be playing in Los Angeles, against the first place Dodgers. This series is another good opportunity for the Phils to pick up some ground.