After embarrassing the Mets’ two best pitchers last weekend, the Phillies welcomed the pitching-rich St. Louis Cardinals into town for a series that was billed as a match-up between two likely playoff contenders.
Making his first start since returning from an oblique injury, Joe Blanton pitched a decent game, but coupled with silent bats and a bullpen that couldn’t stop the bleeding, the Phillies dropped the opener 6-3. The next three games would be much different.
The oft-maligned Cole Hamels took the mound on Tuesday. After an absolutely brilliant 2008, he regressed last year. With every intention of getting back on track this season, Cole has had his ups and downs, but this start was his most triumphant statement to date.
Against an extremely potent Cardinals offense, Hamels shut them down, taking a six-hitter into the ninth. After getting his rhythm ruined by an overweight wannabe rapper, #35 gave up consecutive doubles to David Freese and Yadier Molina to tie the game and take it past regulation.
What started out as a pitcher’s duel ended as an extra innings thriller, courtesy of Carlos Ruiz. After hitting reliever Blake Hawksworth’s first offering a long way but just foul, Chooch handled a few more pitches until he laced a 2-1 pitch into the left field stands. It was the second walkoff homerun of his career.
Also notable was the continued emergence of Jose Contreras as one of the best options out of the bullpen. While it may be a small sample size, these are numbers that hint at a potential closing role. In ten appearances and 8 2/3 innings pitched, he has a 1.04 ERA and 0.58 WHIP. Not bad at all.
Kyle Kendrick continued the stellar pitching on Wednesday by going seven scoreless innings to help the Phillies earn a 4-0 shutout. Placido Polanco opened the scoring with two-run homer, and Shane Victorino added a solo shot later in the game.
Although it would be great to think that Kendrick has turned a corner with this performance, he has historically dominated St. Louis. In 27 innings pitched over four starts, he sports a 1.67 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. We’ll have to see a few more starts like this before determining that Kendrick has finally put it all together.
Thursday’s match-up saw staff ace Roy Halladay take the mound, and ironically, he was the guy that didn’t have his best stuff. While the Phils took home a convincing 7-2 win, Halladay labored at times, loading the bases and exiting the game after 119 pitches through 7 innings.
It was a good performance nonetheless, and the Phils’ bats were able to feast off of Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse. Jayson Werth stroked a three-run homer and Raul Ibanez added a solo shot. Werth would go on to add two doubles as well.
Halladay now sits at 6-1.
The victory was a fitting tribute to Phillies pitching great Robin Roberts. The 83-year old passed away earlier in the day at his Temple Terrace, FL home.
