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.