Padres Series

Game 1: Phillies 3, Padres 2
Length of game: 3:01; W – Halladay (8-3) – 7 IP, 2 ER; L – Latos (5-4) – 5 IP, 3 ER; Phillies score 2 runs in 3rd inning on 2 run home run by Victorino (9); 2 shutout innings by bullpen (Contreras, Romero, Lidge); Halladay strikes out 7, allows 10 hits

Game 2: Phillies 6, Padres 2
Length of game: 2:02; W – Moyer (6-5) – 9 IP, 2 ER; L – Garland (6-3) – 7 IP, 6 ER; RBI single by Chase Utley ignites rally for 4 run 3rd inning; 2 run home run by Werth (10) extends lead to 6-2; Moyer throws complete game (98 pitches)

Game 3: Padres 6, Phillies 5 (F/10)
Length of game: 3:41; W – M. Adams (1-1) – 2 IP, 0 ER; L – Baez (2-2) – 1 IP, 1 ER; Blanton allows 11 hits over 5 innings, allows 5 earned runs; Phillies score only runs in 1st and 2nd innings (4 runs in 2nd); Padres bullpen throws 8 1/3 shutout innings

Game 4: Padres 3, Phillies 1
Length of game: 2:39; W – LeBlanc (3-4) – 7 IP, 0 ER; L – Hamels (5-5) – 8 IP, 2 ER; Phillies score only run in 9th inning, leave Howard on 2nd, bring tying run to plate; Hamels throws 8 strong innings, allowing just 3 hits and walking 2; Baez continues to struggle, allowing an insurance run in the 9th inning

Final Analysis: While it was an improvement over the 2-7 road trip, this 4 game series was not enough to be considered successful. The offense showed some signs of life throughout the series, but they are still struggling mightily. A total of 15 runs over 4 games (3.8 runs per game) is not in any way good. The pitching was strong, especially the starts from Moyer (9 IP, 2 ER) and Hamels (8 IP, 2 ER). Brad Lidge has looked very strong over the last few games. Since his first appearance on April 30 (1/3 IP, 1 ER), he has thrown 6 shutout innings in 6 appearances. While the offensive struggles are nothing to be ignored, the team looks very hopeful in the big picture. With Hamels seemingly on top of his game (although this may have been a fluke due to throwing only 2/3 innings in his previous start due to rain) and Halladay consistently terrific, the starting rotation has been rounded out nicely by the strong and somewhat consistent starts from Moyer, Blanton, and Kendrick. In the bullpen, Lidge has looked strong, Contreras is virtually unhittable, and J.C. Romero has returned to form with his ERA down to 1.93. With these three late inning stoppers and middle inning guys like Danys Baez (or at least he should be switched to a middle inning guy due to his recent struggles) and Chad Durbin (solid 2.96 ERA), the Phillies pitching looks ready for a World Series. The offense has looked ready for a World Series at times this year. These are good signs. Every year, there are about 8 or 10 teams that have a legitimate chance at winning the World Series; the Phillies are one of these teams. And while this is a good sign and the most important time of year is clearly October, the offense needs to pick it up soon, or else there won’t be an October. The Phillies sit 2 games behind Atlanta for the division lead, and just 0.5 games ahead of the Mets for 2nd place in the N.L. East. Without a major improvement, the Phillies could find themselves clawing from behind during the grueling months of July and August.