There’s going to be friendly competition among all five Phillies starters this season. Big Roy and Cliff did their part — Lil Roy got his turn to day and went 6 strong innings, giving up five hits while walking one and striking out six. He gave up two runs on a Hunter Pence homer and an RBI ground out from Brett Wallace. Charlie decided to pull him after just 88 pitches in favor of pinch hitter Shane Victorino. Manuel has been careful with his pitch counts this weekend, with each starter going less than he usually does. This early in the season, that is definitely the right move.
As Todd Zolecki reported on Twitter, the combination of Halladay, Lee and Oswalt this weekend had a combined 2.84 ERA in 19 IP, 14 hits, 6 runs, 1 walk and 23 strikeouts. Now is as good a time as ever to say Wowza. Can’t wait to see what Cole and Joe can add to that line.
Charlie made an interesting call sending the apparently healthy Shane Victorino to bat for Oswalt and it paid off. Shane ripped an RBI single for his second hit of the season and was followed up by Michael Martinez’s first career hit. After going 0-3 to start off the day, the Rule 5 draftee laced a ball under the glove of Chris Johnson at third, which scored Carlos Ruiz and stretched the lead to 7-2. Shane stayed in to play center, ending Martinez’s day on a high note.
David Herndon takes over with the Phillies up 5 runs in the 7th.