Phillies Win Doubleheader Against Mets

The Phillies have once again slain the New York Mets during a stretch run for the playoffs. The difference this time is that the Mets aren't in competition for the playoffs and the Phillies have basically locked up the NL East division title. They won the day game 5-4 and the night game 1-0 as they took 3 out 4 from the Mets during the series.

The day game was mainly a well pitched game by Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick. The offense of the Phillies was led by Shane Victorino and Ben Francisco. Francisco is mainly known as the other guy the Phillies got in the Cliff Lee trade but, he has provided a valuable bat just as he did in the day game with 2 hits one which was solo home run. The game got interesting in the ninth as manager Charlie Manuel handed the ball to Brad Lidge who gave up two runs but, stopped the bleeding their to preserve his save and a 5-4 win for Kendrick and the Phillies.

The night game was all about one man, Pedro Martinez. Martinez was shunned during the offseason and much of the early part of the season by teams because of a combination of his age and the salary he was seeking. But, it seems clear that the Phillies mad a very savvy pickup to sign Pedro as he has shown real control and a better fastball than expected.

Pedro threw 8 innings of no run ball against the Met lineup totalling up 130 pitches his highest total in any game this year. He recorded 7 strikeouts with only 2 walks. Martinez may not be the dominant pitcher he once was. But, he seems to have become a master of guile and control this year as he has posted a 2.87 ERA.

The lone run came in the first inning as Jimmy Rollins lead off with a walk. Victorino then singled Rollins to second. Then Chase Utley drove in Rollins with an RBI single which would be the lone run of the game. The game was closed out by Ryan Madson as he saved the game clinching the Pedro's fifth win of the season.

The doubleheader did bring the closer controversy back up with Lidge and Madson. But, at the same time the discussion was basically closed because of their performances. Each of them got the save with Lidge getting his 29th and Madson his 8th. But, Lidge struggled once again as he got the save while, Madson thrived on a one run lead as he closed out his game. It seems to me that Madson will be the closer for the rest of the season and the playoffs but, if he stumbles then Lidge will get another chance at the closer position this year.

The stats are provided by yahoo sports at:

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=290913222

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore;_ylt=AsINeQhM05TW3QLK3.UAGUi4u7YF?gid=290913322