Phillies Vs. Giants: Manuel Explains Pinch-Hitting Decision

In the 11th inning of a game Wednesday night that the Philadelphia Phillies ultimately lost 1-0, manager Charlie Manuel decided to pinch-hit Jim Thome even after the San Francisco Giants called in lefty Javier Lopez from the bullpen.

The manager was second-guessed after Thome struck out and the Phillies lost, but explained his decision after the game.

"I thought about sending [John] Mayberry up to hit. Thome's 2-for-11 off the guy and he's got three Ks, so that means he puts the ball in play 8 times. If he hits the ball as big and strong as he is we got a chance to score a run," Manuel said. "Also I figured he's definitely going to walk Mayberry. And Juan Pierre, of course, he hits .300 off of lefties, but he's still got to face the side arm lefty. When I pinch hit for Pierre I thought Mayberry was strong and could move the ball better. I thought that was the best chance for us to get a run."

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out our blog The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.

Phillies Vs. Giants: Phillies Waste Cliff Lee's Gem

Cliff Lee pitched 10 scoreless innings for the Philadelphia Phillies against the San Francisco Giants, but the Phillies still lost 1-0 on Melky Cabrera's RBI walk-off single.

Afterward, the Phillies had nothing but praise for San Francisco starter Matt Cain, who pitched nine scoreless innings of his own.

"We had a chance there to score -- we didn't do it. Outside of that, Cain was good. Cain was throwing first-pitch strikes, coming right at us. He didn't get in any deep counts, and we were swinging of course, and that's kind of how the game played out. He was that good because he was throwing pitches and we were swinging at them, putting them in play -- he was every bit that good," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

Added Jim Thome, "He made some good pitches. He's done it for a long time, as well. You tip your hat when a guy comes in and makes the pitches. I had an opportunity on a first pitch to put the ball in play, I didn't do it and that's how it works out."

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out our blog The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.

Phillies Vs. Giants Final Score: Cliff Lee, Matt Cain Shine, Giants Edge Phillies In Extras

For those who love pitcher's duels, they got their money's worth on Wednesday night when Cliff Lee and Matt Cain duked it out for 19 combined innings of shutout baseball.

Cliff Lee went 10 sensational innings for Philadelphia, allowing seven hits and striking out seven batters. His efforts were ultimately in vein, however, as an 11th inning walk off single from Melky Cabrera pushed the Giants past the Phillies, and Lee was left with a no decision.

Matt Cain, who San Francisco made the richest right hander in baseball earlier this spring, threw nine scoreless frames of his own, allowing just two hits and one walk.

The Phillies struggles at the plate continued, and they are now 28th overall in the MLB in runs scored.

Philadelphia will head south on Thursday to begin a series with the San Diego Padres.

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out our blog The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.

Phillies Vs Giants: Cliff Lee Goes For Series Win Tonight

The Philadelphia Phillies aim for a series win on Wednesday night in San Francisco with Cliff Lee on the mound against the Giants. (Game Time: 10:15 p.m., TV Schedule: TCN)

Lee is still looking for his first win of the season after accumulating an 0-1 record with a 3.46 ERA in his first two starts. The lefty will match up with Matt Cain, San Francisco's $127 million man, who pitched a one-hitter in his last outing.

Roy Halladay got the best of Tim Lincecum in the series opener as the Phillies won 5-2, but Philadelphia could not muster enough clutch hits in game two and fell, 4-2. The second game became an exercise in frustration for the Phillies, as they had runners in scoring position in six of the first seven innings but could only push across two runs.

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out our blog The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.

Phillies Vs Giants Recap: Roy Halladay Beats Tim Lincecum

In Monday night's game, Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum opposed each other in what can only be described as a classic pitcher's duel. One help up his end of the bargain, the other did not.

Halladay was masterful in the Philadelphia Philies 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. The Doc pitched eight innings, scattering seven hits while allowing only two runs and striking out six.

Lincecum on the other hand continues to struggle. In his six innings the skinny right-hander gave up five runs, all earned. He's still in search of his first win of the campaign and we're halfway through April.

Halladay showcased beautiful command, throwing first pitch strikes to 25 of the 34 batters he faced. In a tough start to the season for Philadelphia, Halladay has been one of the bright spots. So far, he's compiled a 3-0 record and a 1.17 ERA.

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out our blog The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.

Giants vs. Phillies, Game 2: TV Schedule, Radio Stream, Pitching Match-Up And More

A night after featuring a duel between two former Cy Young Award winners, the Philadelphia Philles and San Francisco Giants will showcase a veteran journeymen against a young, hard-throwing hurler at AT&T Park (10:15 p.m. ET on TCN). Veteran Joe Blanton (1-1, 2.35 ERA) will take the mound for the Phillies (5-5), while Madison Bumgarner (1-1, 3.95) will be in the spotlight for the Giants (4-6).

On Monday, Philly ace Roy Halladay out-dueled Tim Lincecum to help the Phillies earn a late-night, West Coast victory, 5-2. The victory was Philadelphia's second straight and came night after defeating the Mets. Meanwhile, San Fransico has dropped two straight.

Here's the games broadcast information:

Location: AT&T Park, San Fransisco, Ca.

Game Time: 10:15 p.m. ET

TV Broadcast: TCN

Radio Stream: 1210 WPHT

Pitching Match-Up: Joe Blanton (PHI) vs. Madison Bumgarner (SF).

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all your news and updates.

Roy Halladay Outduels Tim Lincecum As Phillies Beat Giants 5-2

The Phillies met the Giants last night in a game that marked the first time that two multiple Cy Young winners faced one another since 2009. However, only one of the two pitchers held up his end of the bargain in what was expected to be an epic pitching duel.

Roy Halladay allowed 2 runs and struck out 6 over 8 innings of work as he improved to 3-0 on the season. His counterpart, Tim Lincecum, did not fare so well. He was tagged for 4 runs in the top of the first, which would be all the Phillies needed. In all, Lincecum needed 30 pitches to get out of the first inning. He would last 5 more innings and only allow one more run, but the damage was done.

Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino had a pair of hits, Laynce Nix had 2 RBI and Halladay himself had a hit and a RBI. Freddy Galvis also doubled and now, almost inexplicably, leads the Phillies in extra base hits.

Joe Blanton will face Madison Bumgartner tomorrow for the second game of the series at 10:15 pm.

How Rare Is Tonight's Halladay Vs Lincecum Matchup?

Phillies Vs Giants: Roy Halladay Faces Tim Lincecum In Matchup Of Cy Young Winners

Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum take the hill for their respective squads on Monday night when the Phillies and Giants begin a three-game series.