Phillies Swat Nats…
Posted: April 14, 2010 Filed under: Dailies | Tags: Astros, DL, Durbin, Figueroa, Hamels, Happ, Howard, J-Roll, Kendrick, Moyer, MVP, Nationals, offense, phillies, pitchers duel, Polanco, Ripley's believe it or not, Rollins, Stamman, strike outs, Utley, Victorino 9 CommentsThis was a game of games, it was a battle of the pitchers, the first 2 innings was 1 game, a pitchers duel, not the way you’d expect a pitchers duel, instead of strike out and non hitting batters, it was a duel on who would stay in the longest, who would give up the most hits
and runs and who would throw the most pitches. It turns out both starting pitchers got to take early showers, for Stamman of the Nats managed just 53 pitches through 1.1 innings, giving up 7 runs on 7 hits and Kendrick of the Phillies managed 52 pitches through just 1.2 innings giving up 6 runs on 6 hits.
The game was also a game of offensive plays with hits, runs and walks being in good supply, the Phillies relief pitcher Figueroa, got in on that part of the game, with 2 at bats he picked up 2 hits and a run, on the mound he threw 3.1 innings and gave up 1 run on 2 hits. Chad Durbin also pitching in relief and threw 2 shut down innings on 24 pitches. For the Nats, English came out of the pen and 
shut the Phillies down for 2.2 innings, but after that the Phillies bats came alive, with both Victorino and Utley going deep, it was Utley’s 2nd homer of the game, Victorino also managed a bases clearing triple after the bases were loaded in the 7th, just a double short of a cycle in this the first game he was in the lead off spot with J-Roll on the DL, Wilson Valdez was added to the roster to replace J-Roll.
By the 9th inning the Phillies had 14 hits, 14 runs and 5 walks, while holding the Nats to 10 hits and 7 runs. The Phillies are on a roll to start this season, some are comparing it to the 93 season when the team went start to finish
on top of the division, personally without putting a damper on things remember who we’ve played, the Nats and the Astros, lets wait till then end of the month when we will have played at least a couple of other teams before awarding ourselves something we haven’t won.
The game had it’s other moments with Polanco picking up another 2 hits to maintain a .486 batting average, yep it’s still early, but if he keeps this up I’ll be screaming MVP, the Phillies bench also saw the 3 lefties deep in conversation, actually more like Moyer conversing, Hamels smiling and Happ just staring into space, but still could be a caption picture later on in the season, depending on how these 3 progress.
In summary the Phillies add another 14 hits and 14 runs to the already inflated numbers they have, it’s tough this time of year to do the customary comparisons because with the limited games played and the fact that some teams have played 2 or 3 games more than others it can be very deceiving. So lets just say the Phillies have a lot of offensive numbers and it’s “Ripley’s Time“, because believe it or not they are ranked last in MLB for strike outs.
Phillies Outside Archive Vault 
Ranking last in strikeouts is impressive, even this early in the season.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
Indeed, they did swat the Nats, but the Nats swatted them a bit too early on… dude, the Phillies pitching outside of Halladay and Happ is gettin’ kinda scary. Just sayin’….
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Picking up Figueroa turns out to be a great move…not sure what is up with Kendrick. He better figure it out soon!
Jenn
http://philliesphollowers.mlblogs.com/
Jane – I thought that too, it surprised me when I saw it…
Jeff – Yeah I know, but Kendrick wasn’t supposed to be a starter so its acceptable, the others will get better…(crossing fingers)
Jenn – I know, I can’t believe it, must say something about whose making decisions at the Muts place.. Kendrick needs Blanton back and get some pen time to find his feet.
-peter
I wonder about the people making decisions at MuTT’s Place too. PONDEROUS!! Nelson Figeuroa will be very servicable for you! He’ll beat us at least 5 times this year. Playing the Nats did nothing for the Mutt’s but it aggrivated me. I see the injury bug creaped down the turnpike a little.
mike BTB
forgot….Happy Jackie Robinson Day
Like the title. Happy pitched well today, but it doesn’t look like the pen helped much. The Nats should be an easy sweep for you guys. What’s going on!? C’mon!
http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com
i was watching the Pens hockey game at a bar here in Morgantown. The Flyers-Devils game was also on. About 12 people were intentively watching both games as there are many students from those respective areas. a group of 5 dudes all in Phillie red come in and ask one of the flyers tv’s to be changed to the baseball game. i loved it! i wish pittsburgh fans had the same passion for baseball to skip over a NHL playoff game
http://pittpeas.mlblogs.com
Mike – Yeah Injuries moved into Philly, except the only one I dont mind is still the Lidge one…
rfb – easy is sometimes easier said then done… it was a ceremonial day… Phillies don’t win… LOL
Matt – Philadelphia has some funky fans, hard core for each sport and yet will follow other sports when their main line isn’t on…. but play off or not if their main line sports team is on they’ll wanna watch it….
-peter