Top Heavy: Phillies 12, Reds 5

by dajafi on May 21, 2009 5:00 PM EDT

Lineup balance is swell and all, but sometimes you only need a few hitters to click in order to put up big numbers. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Raul Ibanez combined for nine hits in 15 at-bats Thursday afternoon as the Phillies put up a dozen runs against Cincinnati starter Micah Owings and a parade of ineffectual relievers. The Phils scored in seven of the game's nine innings, getting home runs from Greg Dobbs, Utley, Ryan Howard, and Ibanez to win another series on the road.

For the first four innings at least, it looked like the pitching would merit huzzahs as well. Joe Blanton consistently got ahead of Reds batters, allowing just three hits and notching four strikeouts as the Phils raced out to a 6-0 lead. But some well-placed hits got the Reds back to 6-2 in the fifth, and then Brandon Phillips made it a one-run game with a three-run homer. Blanton did register the win, but his final numbers--five innings, seven hits, five runs, a walk, and four Ks--were unspectacular.

Fortunately, the Phils went right back to work on the offensive side, scoring once in the 6th with the help of some aggressive baserunning by Carlos Ruiz--who crossed the plate for the first time in 2009--and Rollins. They then put up a four-spot in the 7th, highlighted by Howard's solo homer and a two-run pinch-double from Pedro Feliz. Ibanez slugged his 15th home run an inning later to tie for the NL lead, and relievers Clay Condrey, Scott Eyre, Chan Ho Park and Sergio Escalona each chipped in a scoreless inning of relief.

The Phils now travel to the Bronx for three games with the Yankees, who seek their ninth straight win Thursday night against our old acquaintance Adam Eaton. They lead the idle Mets by a game and a half in the NL East.

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no DH callup yet

I guess I could put this in a separate item, but both Martino and Murphy report on their blogs that the Phils won’t make a roster move for tomorrow’s game against the Yankees. Presumably either Dobbs or Stairs will DH against right-hander A.J. Burnett; with lefties CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte starting the last two games, a move to summon another right-handed bat is more likely. (Might we suggest John Mayberry Jr.?)

by dajafi on May 21, 2009 6:12 PM EDT reply actions

Blanton

Do you think it’s his physical conditioning that holds him back? I didn’t get to watch the game, just the gamecast, but it looked like he was dominant in the first 4 innings then got tired. I think he’s got to get in better shape if he wants to improve his game.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on May 21, 2009 9:29 PM EDT reply actions

I stated in an earlier blog

that the inning was caused by poor defense, IMO. It started w/ a fly ball to right that Stairs could not jog to and catch ( I believe (personally know) Werth would have caught it. Then there was another hit that went by Dobbs that Felix would have had and the inning would have been over.

I think Blanton had a great game but did not have the help behind him. I have not seen Champion caliber play in the field this year and alot of runs have come because of that playing.

On the other hand, I certainly think Blanton could use some conditioning. They showed on TV that Blanton is a much better pitcher the 2nd half vs 1st half which may say conditioning is not the issue??

by DeanH on May 21, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I can buy into your opinion that Werth and Pete can make plays Stairs and Dobbs can’t get to. A good reason they are bench players. Where I disagree is your stating you haven’t seen “Champion caliber play in the field this year”. Are we watching the same team? The Phillies lead MLB with a FPCT of .992 and the fewest errors 11. IMO that’s champion caliber play.

by Steve-O- on May 22, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I am not criticizing the complete team

My point is that last year they were making the plays that they are not making this year. Throws are not making it on the mark like last year. Not errors, just not as good as last year.

I also stress it is my opinion. I am often wrong!

Blanton cannot blame the team for the home run. That is on him. But, I really think a few of the runs are not errors but just not top playing like last year.

by DeanH on May 22, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

Amazing what you can learn when you get to watch the game. The fact that he got pulled right after that inning was telling to me also, but I guess CM could have been worried about his psyche. The second half improvements are encouraging. Maybe he’s just not ready for the beginning of the season, and then he rounds into form.

Kath?

by psuphiman80 on May 22, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Dean’s point about the fielding behind him was valid. Really he just made one awful pitch, a flat slider, and Phillips destroyed it. Otherwise it wouldn’t be unfair to put the inning down as lousy luck.

by dajafi on May 22, 2009 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

And it’s not like Dobbs didn’t contribute to the offensive effort.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on May 22, 2009 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I realize that

and once again, I was not saying it was not Blanton’s fault for the home run. But, don’t you think Happy would have made an out or 2 on that ball?? I think so!

And Dobb’s home run made me hesitant to respond above. And I think that the home run is more important than the runs given up by that play.

by DeanH on May 22, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions