Busch Boom: Phillies 10, Cardinals 7

by dajafi on May 6, 2009 12:28 AM EDT

Considering how much of the roster returned from last October's world f. champion, it's striking how different the 2009 Phillies seem from their immediate predecessor. Where the 2008 World Series winners got it done primarily with pitching, this year's model has relied on a potent lineup to outslug the mistakes of its hapless hurlers. So it was again on Tuesday night in St. Louis, as the Phils moved into first place in the NL East for the first time this season with a 10-7 win over the Cardinals.

Shane Victorino hit early and often, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead with a first-inning solo home run and finishing the night with four hits--lifting his batting average to .308 on the season--and three runs scored. But it was Jayson Werth's three-run homer in the fifth inning that stretched the visitors' lead from 4-3 to 7-3, giving starter Brett Myers some breathing room.

He needed it. Myers evened his record at 2-2, but gave up nine hits, including two more home runs, and five runs in 5 1/3 innings. He left with the bases loaded and the score 7-4, but got off the hook when Scott Eyre escaped the jam with a sacrifice fly that brought the Cards within two runs--on a nice running catch by Victorino--and a popup. The Phils scored two more runs in the seventh on RBI singles from Ryan Howard and Pedro Feliz, and Clay Condrey gave one back in the bottom of the inning and let two more into scoring position before Ryan Madson came on to douse the fire. Madson pitched a scoreless eighth, recording four outs on ten pitches for his evening's work, and after the Phils tacked on another run in the ninth, a still-scuffling Brad Lidge surrendered a mammoth solo homer to old nemesis Albert Pujols before closing things out.

The win was only the team's third leading all the way, and the ten runs scored represented the fifth time in 24 games that the Phils broke double digits. The club also improved to 8-2 on the road this season. Up next: a two-game visit to the Mets' new Citi Field home, with New York ace Johan Santana tapped to pitch Wednesday.

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Just an idea: If I am Cholly, I might be thinking about using Madson as the closer for the time being. Lidge is clearly not 100% right now and I don’t think it is particularly wise to be using him to get the last 3 outs in tight games right now.

Madson is the surer bet right now, so I think it makes sense to give him the temporary upgrade at least until Lidge works through his issues.

by FuquaManuel on May 6, 2009 1:39 AM EDT reply actions

What's wrong with Myers?

I don’t think he threw a single pitch that was clocked at 90 all night. No wonder he had only one K. And this is a guy who used to routinely hit 94-95. He’s got me wondering if he’s hurting.

by Old Grandad on May 6, 2009 2:22 AM EDT reply actions

Or if the gun at St Louis is Slow.

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 6, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

At least we know he isn’t on roids.

by taco pal on May 6, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

He doesn't have as much weight behind his pitches

I kid, I kid. Not sure, but wasn’t he throwing lower than normal at the beginning of last season, too?

by Screen Name 20 on May 6, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

What's wrong with Myers?

That’s certainly a possibility but I don’t think he’s been throwing as hard as he used to all season to date.

by Old Grandad on May 6, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions

Dear Ryan Howard

You should stop talking to the media

The radio hosts in Philadelphia can’t wait to jump on you no matter what you say…

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 6, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

what did he say?

by FuquaManuel on May 6, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

In some stream of consciousness thing he mentioned how ‘playing for the hometown team’ is something you think abot – it was a toss out when asked about how well he does in STL and the ASG – but bad radio station #2 picked up on it and did at least 2 segments about projecting Howard to St Louis in 3 years

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 6, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

A very similar thing happened with Rollins when he signed his long-term deal. He made a comment at his press conference about how it’s his dream to go back and play in the Bay Area for a little while at the end of his career. Lots of furor for about a day, then everyone forgot about it.

by taco pal on May 6, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Well good thing they have Pujols

who’s actually younger than Howard. He’d have to slide over to 3rd or the OF again to make it work.

by Screen Name 20 on May 6, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

The thing is that between all the rot elsewhere in the rotation and his 2008 turnaround, they don’t have much choice but to wait and hope that whatever is wrong with him goes away.

I hate to say this, and I hope I’m wrong, but other than their resiliency—one of those non-quantifiables that we try not to put too much stock in around these parts—I don’t see a lot of reason to expect that the Phils will enjoy a long residency in first place.

by dajafi on May 6, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

Raul

Last night he did 2 big base running mistakes. I guess the Pat B fans are happy! (just teasing). Anyway, since I am a big fan of his, thought only fair to point out his goofs!

by DeanH on May 6, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions