The Phillies did it again this afternoon as they took game two of this three-game series in walkoff fashion. John Mayberry Jr. delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Phils their second 3-2 win, as well as walkoff win, over the Rockies this weekend. Cole Hamels tossed seven strong innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. He struck out six and walked one to take the no-decision. His teammate Tyler Cloyd (1-1, 2.77 ERA) will make his third major league start tonight as the Phillies eye a sweep of the Rockies. Drew Pomeranz (1-8, 4.93 ERA) will oppose.
Cloyd was spectacular his last time out. On Monday against the Reds, the righty threw seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits. Cloyd also struck out nine, a career high (yes, his career is very young right now, but it's impressive). All in all the strong outing gave Cloyd his first major league win, evening his record at 1-1. Right now, it seems like Cloyd is going to stay in the rotation for the remainder of the season. With Vance Worley out for the rest of the season, it'd be good to let Cloyd, who went 15-1 with a 2.26 ERA between AA-Reading and AAA-Lehigh earlier this year, get some reward work in. If he can keep it up and he has a good spring next season, there may be a chance he can make the major league rotation next year.
Drew Pomeranz's last start lasted just three innings as he allowed five hits to the Braves on Tuesday. The lefthander has had a very rough season so far, holding a 4.93 ERA in 17 starts. Pomeranz has a 5.25 ERA and an 0-1 record in his last three starts (12 innings). Back on July 15, Pomeranz was blasted for five runs on five hits over five innings against the Phillies. That outing was his lone start against the Phillies. It's a shame that the Rockies won't let their pitchers go over 85 and show what they can do if they get into trouble. It destroys the confidence of these young guys who want to start games and win them, not start them and get yanked before the 6th inning.
With today's win in game two, the Phillies closed in on their .500 mark, pulling within four games of the mark. They also brought themselves closer into the Wild Card race as they sit just six games back entering tonight's second game. If they can take a sweep, this team could have serious contentions.
Tonight's lineup vs Rockies:
- Rollins SS
- Mayberry CF
- Utley 2B
- Howard 1B
- Wigginton LF
- Brown RF
- Martinez 3B
- Lerud C
- Cloyd P.
TV: CSN ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
