Phils Come Out Swinging to Start Homestand

Losing Stinks, originally uploaded by MattP33.

With a four-games-in-three-days series against the Mets coming up, the Phillies needed to attack the Reds in a big way in the appetizer set to open the homestand. The Reds have been awful this season, putting up the worst record in baseball, so it would seem the Phillies had the perfect opportunity to close the gap between themselves and the Mets a bit before the weekend. Of course, they did drop a series to the Royals not long ago, so nothing is a done deal.

But they started off on the right foot last night, beating Homer Bailey around like a rented arm from AA and making the Reds go to the bullpen in the second inning of the first game of the series. Kyle Kendrick turned in another solid outing, winning his second game in three appearances (and the Phils did win the other). Howard, Utley, and Victorino homered. Pat Burrell didn't play. Chooch Ruiz had a great night at the plate in all senses of the word, driving in 4 runs, stealing home, and um, catching. And the bullpen only had to get 9 outs, which they did without incident, preserving the middle relief and "closer" for another day.

Tonight the Phils face a potential All Star in Aaron Harang (8-2, 3.59 ERA), who is the lone reliable pitcher in Cinci these days with Bronson Arroyo absolutely falling apart this year. The Haranguatang will go up against Jamie Moyer, whose patience will be as frustrating as ever tonight. It was like a sauna in the stands by the field last night, and the first few innings were loooong. I can't imagine how hot it was out on the grass, but tonight's not looking much different. Could be another homerfest...

>>Ruiz drives in 4 runs, steals home as Phils roll over Reds [ESPN]
>>Crazy story on the Ruiz steal's historic significance over at Bugs & Cranks.
>>Gillick on 950 sounding like Ed Wade? Say it ain't so...

Comments

[Chamomiles Davis]

Enrico,

I wrote in Fortress of Pillows last week that I think the schedule leading up to the break gives the Phillies the inside track to grab first place.

If the Cardinals continue to do to the Mets what they did to them in the NLCS last year (upset-a-licious), then I like the Phightin's chances even more.

[Chris]

Harang is a POTENTIAL all-star? I think he's a LOCK as an all-star. Let's see what happens tonight, but I think the Phils have to make some ground up now, becasue they have a couple of road trips coming this summer that could be tougher than playing the Reds and the struggling Mets in CBP.

[Chamomiles Davis]

Harang is 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in his last six starts, so this game is by no means a gimme for the Phillies. Furthermore, he hasn't surrendered more than three earned runs in a game since May 20.

Harang's three-hit, ten-strikeout game against Cleveland (a 1-0 victory!) is undoubtedly the high point of his season so far.

[Matt P]

When they were piling on the runs last night, I remember wishing they'd save a few for Harang. Guy can throw (NL leader in K's last year, and lefties are batting just .216 against him this yaer, so that ain't good when you look at the Phils' lineup). But if the Phils can get past him and still be in the game, hopefully the Reds' atrocious bullpen will hold true to form and implode.

[the Krisheim]

i haven't been this excited for a series in a while, but i cant look past the reds and i cant get the image out of my head of the phillies "closers" blowing two games this weekend. the mets have stunk lately, but i cant have any confidence with our bullpen facing that lineup in the 6,7,8th going in to this 4 game set.

i'd be happy with a split, but we need to worry about the reds right now.

[GM-Carson]

I hope we blow up Harang and sky his ERA. By the way, he may not get an all-star nod because of fellow teammates Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn, and it's hard to justify 3 players on the NL roster from such a crappy team.

Moyer needs to be crafty like the Beastie Boys tonight baby!