W - Martinez (4-0), L - Lannan (8-11), S - Madson (5)
Early in the game, it looked like the Phillies were flat. Pedro Martinez surrendered an early run and the Phils quickly fell behind the Nationals. However, the Phillies offense, led by Raul Ibanez, homered their way out of their slump. It still wasn't easy and it seems like weeks since the Phillies have had a relaxing win, but they got the job done tonight. In the end, they earned a much needed win by a score of 5-3.
Pedro Martinez took control of the game after giving up an early run. He looked stronger as the game went along, and though he battled a high pitch count, he rarely broke a sweat. Pedro went 6.2 solid innings, allowing three earned runs and seven hits, while walking just one hitter and striking out four. The Phils' bullpen came in and shut down the Nationals, while working with the slimest of margins.
For the Nationals, John Lannan pitched extremely well early on. He was efficient and retired the Phillies quickly for the first five innings. However, trouble found Lannan in the sixth as he gave up homers to Jayson Werth, Carlos Ruiz, and the second long ball of the night to Raul Ibanez. Chase Utley added his 30th of the season in the eighth inning. The Phillies continue to live and die by the home run and tonight was no exception, as they homered their way past the Nationals. Lannan went 6.2 innings, allowing four earned on six hits and fanned just one.
Tonight's win was important for confidence, if nothing else. Despite the fact that 14 of the team's last 15 homers have been solo shots, they swung the bats pretty well tonight. Raul Ibanez looks like he has dusted off his recent struggles, as he has now homered three times in the last two days. Also encouraging was seeing yet another solid outing from Pedro Martinez, who has been a pleasant addition to the rotation. In all, the Phils halt their four-game losing streak and lower their magic number to 20.
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