Phils Barely Hang On

If this game would of been played at Citizens Bank Park the outcome of the game might have been different. But luckily for the Phillies it was being played at Turner Field. The Braves hit many deep fly balls but they all stayed in the ballpark and Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth were there to catch all of them. Both of them played great defense tonight. Defense is probably the most underrated part of baseball. Without a good defense a team cannot win.
Joe Blanton has had some bad luck in his previous two starts. Tonight, Joe could not be credited with the win but he got through seven strong innings and only gave up two runs but only one of them was earned. In Joe's last seven starts he has only allowed a total of 10 earned runs. And he hasn't went less than 6 2/3 innings pitched in every one of those starts.
After Blanton came out of the game, the game was tied 2-2. In the ninth inning Ryan Howard hit a homerun to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead. Then everyone was holding there breath when Brad Lidge came in. Yet again, he could not make the save easy, but he did get it done. He left two men on base but Lidge got the save and preserved the Phillies victory.
Also, Brett Myers who had surgery on his torn right labrum on June 4, will be making a rehab assignment in Clearwater. If everything goes to according to plan, Brett will be in the bullpen for the Phillies. In 2007 when Myers was the Phillies closer he said he felt like he had "rockstar status" in the closers role.
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Phillies:Cole Hamels didn't speak to reporters after his latest start Aug. 8, when he allowed five hits, four runs and four walks in just 5 1/3 innings against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Hamels continues to look for some consistency. He is 0-2 with an 8.71 ERA in his previous two starts. He was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his three starts before that.
Braves:Kenshin Kawakami was at his best while throwing a career-high 125 pitches and blanking the Dodgers over seven innings on Saturday. With the benefit of making this start with two extra days of rest, there should be less reason to worry about the fatigue he's experienced in his shoulder throughout the season. He allowed two runs in six innings against the Phillies on May 10.

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