Marlins Series

Game 1: Phillies 10, Marlins 8
Length of game: 3:14; W - Contreras (3-2) - 1 IP, 1 ER; L - Hensley (1-3) - 1/3 IP, 2 ER; 4 lead changes in game; Ibañez goes 4 for 5 with 2 RBI; Utley scores 3 runs, Howard and Francisco score 2 each; Lidge struggles in 9th but holds Marlins scoreless to notch 3rd save of season, lowers ERA to 1.23; Phillies take final lead in 8th inning on 2 run single by Ben Francisco

Game 2: Postponed to September 6th at 1:05 PM EST; to be part of a day/night doubleheader with a 7:05 PM EST game that night

Game 3: Marlins 2, Phillies 0
Length of game: 2:23; W - Johnson (7-2) - 8 IP, 0 ER; L - Halladay (8-4) - 8 IP, 1 ER; Marlins score single runs in 1st and 9th innings; Baez continues to struggle, allowing 1 run in the 9th inning and raising ERA to 4.50; Marlins eliminate possibility of perfect game with first batter

Final Analysis: The Phillies split their 2nd straight series, making them 3-3 in their last 6 games. Game 2 being postponed will lead to a crucial 4 game series against the Marlins in early September. The offense jumped out of their slump with a huge 10 run game in game 1, but returned to their old ways in the final game, not scoring at all. There is not much to say differently, but the Phillies need consistent offensive production and they need it soon. Danys Baez has struggled mightily in the late innings recently, and would probably be better suited for a job as a middle inning guy.