Roy Halladay is still not 100% the old Roy Halladay, but tonight he proved that he is still a gamer and went right after the Washington Nationals as the Phillies took the game 4-2.
The Phillies struck first in the bottom of the first. Jimmy Rollins led off with a walk, and Kevin Frandsen singled. Utley followed with a single that scored Jimmy Rollins and moved Frandsen to second base. After Ryan Howard grounded out, John Mayberry singled to add one more, 2-o Phillies.
The Nationals scored their two runs in the top of the 5th inning. Danny Espinosa and Kurt Suzuki hit back to back singles to lead off the inning, and moved to second and third on Gio Gonzalez's ground out. Steve Lombardozzi hit a line drive single to center field and drove in both Espinoza and Suzuki. 2-2 game.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, Mayberry struck again, this time with a solo home run, to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead.
Halladay got through seven innings, allowing no more runs, before turning the game over to the bullpen. For the first time in a month, Antonio Bastardo pitched a 1-2-3 8th inning. In the bottom of the inning, Chase Utley got the Phillies an insurance run with his legs. After reaching base being hit by a pitch, Utley stole both second base and third base. Mayberry came through yet again with a sacrifice fly as the Phillies grabbed an insurance run to take a 4-2 lead.
In the ninth, Jonathan Papelbon came in and immediately struck out Jayson Werth. Roger Bernadina flew out, and Danny Espinosa struck out to give Papelbon his 29th save to preserve the 4-2 win.
The Phillies look for the sweep tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. as Cliff Lee takes on Jordan Zimmermann.
WP: Halladay (8-7)
H: Bastardo (20)
SV: Papelbon (29)
LP: Gonzalez (16-7)
