One a blazing hot day after a huge loss, everything clicked for the Phillies this afternoon. The offense got it rolling with two quick runs off of Braves starter, Kris Medlen. They would contine to add on as the game went on. All Star, Domonic Brown had the two loudest RBIs, as did Ben Revere. I myself had Revere pegged as the new Steve Jeltz but I'm happy to eat crow since he's turned it around since a rough April. The final two runs came home on a wild pitch and throwing error.
Jonathan Pettibone was outstanding through five innings. Be it the heat or the pitch count, he started to wear out in the 6th and Jake Diekman and Justin De Fratus saved the inning. J.C. Ramirez labored in the 7th and allowed two runs before Antonio Bastardo came in to pitch an inning and a third of strong ball. Bastardo has looked especially good as of late. It took a lot of pitches but Jonathan Papelbon was able to close out the 7-3 win.
A lot of young arms handled a line up that was mashing away last night on a hot afternoon. It's definitely the key to the game but it was key that they were able to hit a great pitcher in Medlen.
Now comes the hard part. Are they buying or selling in a few weeks? Every loss and every win has everyone thinking differently. With a game like today and Friday and taking two out of three against Pittsburgh, it's easy to lean in the "buy" direction. Then they have a clunker like last night leaving one to feel quite different.
My view is it would take an awful lot to right this ship for this season. They need a bullpen, they need outfield, could probably use another starter, and now maybe even a first baseman. The resources just aren't there for all that. The Phillies have to make some serious noise if they hope to avoid a July fire sale and even more noise if they want to contend for the division.
Tomorrow the Nationals come to town with Dan Haren returning from the DL to take on John Lannan at 7:05.
