In three-straight games the Phillies have come back from a deficit to win the game. On Sunday against the Giants and Monday against the Brewers, the Phils ended the game in walk-off fashion. Last night was a bit different. The Phillies trailed 6-1 headed into the eighth inning. Cliff Lee was horrible last night, allowing six earned on 12 hits. He was inline for the loss, but with another great comeback by the Phillies he was off the hook and the Phillies kept their three-game winning-streak alive.
Today the Phils will go for the sweep against the Brewers. Vance Worley (5-6, 3.82 ERA) will take on Marco Estrada (0-4, 4.10 ERA) in the series finale this afternoon.
Worley started off his last start very strong against the Giants, retiring the first 13 of 14 batters he faced with seven strike outs. It all went down hill from there as he allowed six earned runs through six innings to take the loss. All in all, Worley gave up six hits and struck out nine while walking three. Worley is 1-1 with a 5.30 ERA over his last three while he holds an 0-1 record with a 4.05 ERA in one career start against the Brewers.
Don't let Marco Estrada's record fool you. Despite having a 4.05 ERA on the year, Estrada has pitched acceptionally well since coming off of the DL. In Estrada's last start, on Friday against the Reds, he tossed seven strong innings, allowing just three earned runs on seven hits while striking out five. Three runs was enough for Estrada to take the loss, rendering him winless on the year. Over his last 24 2/3 innings, Estrada has 45 strikeouts. In one career start against the Phils, Estrada is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA.
In the midst of Cole Hamels' six-year, $144MM contract extension, the Phils still sit 10 games under .500 and 14 games out of first place in the division. In all seriousness, the Phillies have just five games (including today) to show that they're not sellers. That's going to be hard to do, but if they are getting hot right now it may be a little too late.
Today's lineup vs Milwaukee:
- J-Roll SS
- Vic CF
- Utley 2B
- Howard 1B
- Pence RF
- Wiggy 3B
- Pierre LF
- Kratz C
- Worley P.
TV: CSN ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
