SB Nation Philly - Phillies Sweep Padres Behind Hamels, Sweeneyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48987/philly-fave.png2010-08-29T20:08:58-04:00http://philly.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14182542010-08-29T20:08:58-04:002010-08-29T20:08:58-04:00Recap: Phillies Sweep Padres Behind Hamels
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<p>San Diego, CA (Sports Network) – Cole Hamels pitched eight shutout innings, and the Philadelphia Phillies swept the San Diego Padres in three games with a 5-0 victory at Petco Park.
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<p>Hamels (8-10) recorded his first win since July 11 despite pitching very well in the interim. The lefty, who has a 2.46 <span class="caps">ERA</span> in his last nine starts, finally earned the win in one of them after allowing just four hits while fanning six without walking a batter.</p>
<p>Mike Sweeney hit a two-run homer — his first with the club — for the Phillies, who maintained their two-game deficit in the NL East after Atlanta rallied for a 7-6 win over Florida earlier Sunday. They maintained their 1 1/2-game lead in the wild card race over San Francisco, which beat Arizona.</p>
<p>Jayson Werth added a solo shot.</p>
<p>Adrian Gonzalez had three of San Diego’s five hits, as the Padres suffered their fourth straight loss — a season-worst. The Padres, who have the best record in the NL, were swept in a series for only the second time this season.</p>
<p>Clayton Richard (12-6) lost for the first time since July 22 — a string of six starts and five wins — after giving up four runs — two earned — on four hits and one walk while fanning five in 7 2/3 frames. San Diego was hampered by a season-high four errors.</p>
<p>The Padres’ lead in the NL West still stands at a sizeable five games over the Giants.</p>
<p>The Phillies’ first seven batters were retired, but the visitors managed a run in the third.</p>
<p>Carlos Ruiz reached on an infield single and moved to second when Richard’s pickoff attempt bounced past first base. He went to third on Hamels’ groundout and came around to score on Jimmy Rollins’ base hit to right.</p>
<p>In the seventh, Werth worked a two-out walk, and Sweeney followed him with a bullet down the left-field line for a two-run homer and a 3-0 advantage.</p>
<p>Philadelphia padded its lead in the eighth when Ruiz singled leading off, moved to second when Hamels reached on an error and scored on Ryan Ludwick’s throwing error after a spectacular diving catch in right.</p>
<p>Hamels, who labored through the first two innings — needing 50 pitches, settled down to shut down the Padres’ offense. After allowing a two-out single to Gonzalez in the third, the lefty retired the final 16 batters he faced, using only 65 pitches to finish the final six innings of his outing.</p>
<p>Werth’s ninth-inning solo shot accounted for the final margin.</p>
<p>Game Notes</p>
<p>The Phillies have won seven straight in San Diego and won the season series, 5-2…The Padres had won on each of their last 10 Sunday games…Philadelphia has won 10 of its last 11 day games…The Phillies scored more than three runs for the first time since last Sunday against Washington. They had scored three or fewer in six straight contests…San Diego’s Chris Denorfia (back) was scratched from the lineup…In this series, Phillies starters went 22 innings and allowed just two runs, an <span class="caps">ERA</span> of 0.82…The Padres suffered their first four-game losing streak since August 13-16, 2009.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/29/1657621/recap-phillies-sweep-padres-behindGeoffrey Detweiler2010-08-28T19:26:09-04:002010-08-28T19:26:09-04:00Victorino, Blanton and bullpen get Phils past Padres
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<p>San Diego, CA (Sports Network) – Shane Victorino provided a much-needed offensive spark with two hits and two <span class="caps">RBI</span> for the Phillies, who defeated the San Diego Padres, 3-1, in the second of three games at <span class="caps">PETCO</span> Park.</p>
<p>Victorino, who tripled and scored a run, also was a defensive presence, throwing a runner out at home to help Philadelphia win the first two games of this series following a four-game losing streak. With the victory, the Phillies crept to within 1 1/2 games of first-place Atlanta while increasing their lead in the wild card to one game over San Francisco.</p>
<p>Joe Blanton (6-6) pitched well to earn the win, allowing one run on six hits and a walk in six innings. Brad Lidge earned his 18th save.</p>
<p>Jon Garland (13-9) was unable to beat Philadelphia yet again, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks in 6 1/3 frames for San Diego, which has dropped three straight but still holds a 5 1/2 game lead over the Giants in the NL West.</p>
<p>Garland, who added an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single as the only offense for the Padres, fell to 0-5 in six career starts against the Phillies.</p>
<p>With the game tied, 1-1, entering the seventh, the Phillies forged ahead.</p>
<p>Jayson Werth drew a walk leading off after being down 0-2 in the count, and, two batters later, Victorino drilled a ball toward center that sliced away from outfielder Chris Denorfia for an <span class="caps">RBI</span> triple.</p>
<p>The hit spelled the end of Garland’s outing, and Joe Thatcher came in to intentionally walk Carlos Ruiz before Luke Gregerson was called upon to pitch to pinch-hitter Mike Sweeney. Sweeney bounced into what looked like a sure double play, but barely beat out the relay to first, allowing Victorino to score for a 3-1 advantage.</p>
<p>The Phillies’ bullpen took over from there.</p>
<p>Jose Contreras threw a perfect seventh inning and was followed by Ryan Madson’s flawless eighth.</p>
<p>Lidge, who balked in the tying run in Friday’s ninth inning, completed the bullpen’s third consecutive perfect inning to polish off the victory.</p>
<p>The offenses, which struggled in the series opener on Friday, continued that trend early on Saturday.</p>
<p>While the Phillies went without a hit for the first four innings, the Padres managed only two baserunners over the same stretch. Philadelphia’s first hit came in the fifth, and it was a timely one that put the visitors ahead.</p>
<p>Werth became Philadelphia’s third baserunner when he was hit by a pitch leading off the inning. Werth advanced to second on a Raul Ibanez groundout, and Victorino sent a grounder up the middle for a single that plated the runner for a 1-0 lead.</p>
<p>The Padres came right back, nearly taking the lead.</p>
<p>Chase Headley drew a leadoff walk and, two batters later, was retired on Denorfia’s fielder’s choice. Nick Hundley kept the inning going with a single that put runners on the corners, and Garland tied the game by lining the first pitch into left for an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single.</p>
<p>David Eckstein followed with a single up the middle, but Victorino threw out Hundley at home plate to end the inning.</p>
<p>Game Notes</p>
<p>The Phillies lead the season series, 4-2, and clinched their fourth straight season series win over San Diego…Philadelphia has won 13 of its last 15 games against NL West opponents and six straight at San Diego…The Phillies are 35-23 in games decided by two runs or fewer, the best such record in the majors…Despite the win, Philadelphia has not scored more than three runs in nine of its last 10 games, including six straight…Garland had a three-start win streak snapped…The Phillies have won nine of their last 10 day games.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/28/1656186/victorino-blanton-and-bullpen-getMichael Levin2010-08-28T18:57:18-04:002010-08-28T18:57:18-04:00Lidge Saves It For Blanton, Phils Take Game Two 3-1
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<p>Despite notching just three hits, the Phils stole another victory in San Diego behind the arm of Joe Blanton and three perfect innings from Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge. Blanton’s been terrific since the All-Star Break, serving as a great 4th option after the Roy-Cole-Roy threesome. While the bats are cause of concern (3 runs or less in each of the past 6 games), Shane Victorino’s multi-hit day is nice to see.</p>
<p>The Phils look to complete the sweep tomorrow afternoon with Cole Hamels on the mound against fellow lefty Clayton Richard.</p>
<p>Full recap to come later.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/28/1656144/lidge-saves-it-for-blanton-philsMichael Levin2010-08-28T18:09:18-04:002010-08-28T18:09:18-04:00Mike "Wheels" Sweeney Beats The Double Play, 3-1 Phils
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<p>Sweeney hit a chopper to David Eckstein, Carlos Ruiz took him out, and forced a mediocre throw to Adrian Gonzalez at first, allowing the veteran speedster to beat out the double play. Shane Victorino scored on the fielder’s choice, making it a 3-1 ballgame.</p>
<p>Oh and Mike Sweeney just stole second base.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/28/1656081/mike-wheels-sweeney-beats-theMichael Levin2010-08-28T18:03:27-04:002010-08-28T18:03:27-04:00Blanton Pulled With 73 Pitches, Up 2-1
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<p>After Shane Victorino’s second <span class="caps">RBI</span> of the day on a triple that scored Jayson Werth (again), the Padres yanked Jon Garland, walked pinch-hitter Carlos Ruiz, forcing Manuel’s hand. With runners on first and third and only one out, Mike Sweeney comes in to replace Joe Blanton, facing a Padres reliever Luke Gregerson.</p>
<p>Jose Contreras is warming up in the bullpen. They’ll need three strong innings from the ’pen to hold onto this slim lead.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/28/1656073/blanton-pulled-with-73-pitches-upMichael Levin2010-08-28T17:47:40-04:002010-08-28T17:47:40-04:00Surprising Pitcher's Duel After 6
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<p>The Phillies bats continue to snooze in San Diego, totaling just 2 hits off Jon Garland, including an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single by Shane Victorino plating Jayson Werth. But the bigger story is the 6 strong innings by Joe Blanton, amassing only 73 pitches. It’ll be interesting to see how Charlie handles the late innings if it stays close considering how much he’s had to use the pen the past few games.</p>
<p>Werth-Ibanez-Victorino lead off the 7th. Stay tuned for more.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/28/1656045/surprising-pitchers-duel-after-6Michael Levin2010-08-28T14:55:54-04:002010-08-28T14:55:54-04:00Preview: Phillies Send Joe Blanton To The Hill For Game Two Against Padres
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<p>(Sports Network) – The confidence level didn’t seem high for the Philadelphia Phillies after they were swept in four games at home by the lowly Houston Astros. But after Friday’s win at San Diego in the opener of a three-game series from Petco Park, the Phillies should feel a little better about themselves heading into Saturday afternoon’s second portion of this set.
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<p>Padres starter Jon Garland is clearly the reason why since he’s 0-4 with a 7.94 earned run average in five career starts against Philadelphia. Garland took the mound in south Philly back on June 5 this season and was hammered for six runs and 10 hits in seven innings of a 6-2 loss. In a 5-1 loss to the Phils on August 18 of last season, Garland gave up five runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings of work.</p>
<p>The Phillies can only hope history repeats itself tonight after only mustering one run on five hits through seven innings against Padres starter Mat Latos on Friday. Placido Polanco plated Jimmy Rollins on a close play at the plate with a single to center in the top of the 12th, while Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley both contributed <span class="caps">RBI</span> hits for Philadelphia, which pulled within two games of Atlanta for the NL East lead and sit a half-game in front of San Francisco for the top spot in the wild card race. The Giants lost to Arizona on Friday and the Braves were beaten by Florida.</p>
<p>Phils starter Roy Oswalt fired eight innings of one-run ball in the no- decision and reliever Chad Durbin picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Brad Lidge suffered his fifth blown save of the season for allowing the game-tying run on a balk in the bottom of the ninth.</p>
<p>“It was a bizarre thing,” Lidge said of the balk. “The ball hit my glove and it started to come out. I had to look down to get the gripe, otherwise the ball would have fallen out. By that time my momentum was taking me forward, so basically I had to step off or else I would have fallen on my face.”</p>
<p>Joe Blanton takes the hill tonight for the Phillies and he’s 5-6 with a 5.32 <span class="caps">ERA</span> in 21 starts this season. Blanton is 2-0 over his previous six outings and did not figure into the outcome of Monday’s 3-2 loss versus Houston, as he permitted only one run and fanned nine batters in seven innings.</p>
<p>The righty will face San Diego for the fourth time in his career — all starts — and is 1-1 with a less desirable 6.75 <span class="caps">ERA</span>. Being 1-4 in nine road starts this season doesn’t bode well for Blanton.</p>
<p>San Diego still leads the NL West by six games over the Giants. While Latos was impressive as usual on the hill Friday, Ernesto Frieri was dealt the loss for allowing the go-ahead run to score in the 12th inning. Frieri is part of the top bullpen in baseball.</p>
<p>“It was two guys with great stuff,” Padres manager Bud Black said of the pitching matchup.</p>
<p>Yorvit Torrealba drove in a run and Ryan Ludwick recorded a pair of hits for the Padres, losers of two straight and four of seven games.</p>
<p>Garland, meanwhile, has won three straight and four of his past five starts. He owns a 13-8 mark in 26 starts to go along with a 3.25 <span class="caps">ERA</span>, and previously toed the rubber in Sunday’s 7-3 win at Milwaukee. The righty allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings.</p>
<p>He is 7-2 in 13 starts at Petco Park this season.</p>
<p>Philadelphia and San Diego split a four-game series from June 4-7 at Citizens Bank Park, but the Phillies have won eight of the past 10 matchups between the two ballclubs. The Phils have won five straight as the guest.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/28/1655828/preview-phillies-send-joe-blanton-game-two-san-diego-padresJason Brewer2010-08-27T13:54:02-04:002010-08-27T13:54:02-04:00Phillies Try To Get Back On Track Against First Place Padres
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<p>(Sports Network) - The National League West-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/san-diego-padres">San Diego Padres</a> have been pleased with how well <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/69508/Mat_Latos">Mat Latos</a> has pitched this season and will send the young right-hander to the mound Friday in the opener of a three-game series versus the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/philadelphia-phillies">Philadelphia Phillies</a> at Petco Park.</p>
<p>Latos is a sizzling 8-1 with a 1.53 earned run average in his last 12 starts, with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> going 10-2 in that stretch. He previously took the mound in a 5-3 win at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/chicago-cubs">Chicago Cubs</a> last Thursday and limited the hosts to a pair of runs and five hits in seven innings. He also fanned 10 batters to improve to 13-5 with a 2.33 ERA in 23 starts.</p>
<p>The righty, who has struck out at least six batters in eight straight outings, faced Philadelphia for the first time in a 3-2 loss at Citizens Bank Park back on June 4 of this season. He surrendered three runs and four hits over five innings of work.</p>
<p>San Diego is hoping Latos can take advantage of a struggling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> squad tonight and is coming off a blowout loss to Arizona on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/511/Kevin_Correia">Kevin Correia</a> was dealt the loss for permitting nine runs and nine hits in just 3 1/3 innings of work.</p>
<p>"It was a bad loss, but it's only one loss," Correia said. "We still won the series. I'm not happy with the way I went, but it had the feeling of one of those games where no matter what you did, you were going to lose the game."</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/199/Adrian_Gonzalez">Adrian Gonzalez</a> belted a grand slam for the Padres, who entered the game with eight wins in its previous 10 contests and are six games ahead of San Francisco for the NL West lead. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/san-francisco-giants">Giants</a> lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/cincinnati-reds">Reds</a> on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Philadelphia will begin a seven-game road trip against the Padres, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/los-angeles-dodgers">Dodgers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/colorado-rockies">Rockies</a> tonight and was just swept in four games at home by the lowly <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/teams/houston-astros">Houston Astros</a>.</p>
<p>The Phillies, now a half-game behind San Francisco for the Wild Card lead, were looking to salvage the finale of their recent series and dropped a 5-1 decision Thursday afternoon. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/217/Kyle_Kendrick">Kyle Kendrick</a> was dealt the loss for allowing four runs and nine hits in six innings.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/188/Chase_Utley">Chase Utley</a> knocked in the only run for Philadelphia, which got three hits from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/853/Raul_Ibanez">Raul Ibanez</a> and sit three games behind Atlanta for the top spot in the National League East Division.</p>
<p>"We're having trouble. We've been inconsistent all year, but now we're having trouble generating runs," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.</p>
<p>Manuel is hoping <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../mlb/players/378/Roy_Oswalt">Roy Oswalt</a> can get some run support when he takes the mound Friday night in San Diego. Oswalt is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in five starts with the Phillies and is unbeaten in his last three outings. In Sunday's 6-0 win over Washington, Oswalt delivered seven scoreless innings and struck out eight batters to push his overall mark to 9-13 in 25 starts with both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> and Phillies.</p>
<p>The right-hander has fared well in his career against the Padres, having gone 10-2 with a 2.56 ERA in 17 games, 15 of which have been starts. Oswalt did not record a decision at San Diego back on July 2 of this season, but struck out seven over seven shutout innings of three-hit ball.</p>
<p>Oswalt recently made a stint in the outfield for the Phillies in Tuesday's 16- inning loss versus Houston.</p>
<p>Philadelphia and San Diego split a four-game series from June 4-7 at Citizens Bank Park, but the Phillies have won seven of the past nine matchups between the two ballclubs.</p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/2010/8/27/2320023/phillies-try-to-get-back-on-track-against-first-place-padresJason Brewer