Lee Continuing to Dominate

Cliff Lee has been nothing short of spectacular since joining the Phillies. In three starts with the Phils, Lee has pitched 7 innings or more in each of the starts. He has allowed only one run in each of the three starts. GM Rueben Amaro Jr. must be smiling right now.

In today's game, Lee went 8 innings giving up a run in a 6-1 Phillies win in Wrigley. The Phillies swept the Cubs in the not-so-friendly confines. Nice way to bounce back from the Marlin series.

The Phillies offense was alive during the final two games of the series. Cliff Lee just praised the offense on 950 ESPN radio. Lee wasn't getting that kind of O in Cleveland. I don't have the exact words from Lee because I just heard it on the radio.

Ryan Howard took a break from striking out once today, hitting a 3-run bomb. Maybe this offense outbreak at Wrigley will linger on to Atlanta. The Phils need to get as far ahead of this division as possible.

Pedro Wins First Start

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The Phillies blew the Cubs away 12-5 in Pedro Martinez's first start as a Phillie. Pedro threw 5 innings at the not-so-friendly confines. He gave up 3 runs on 7 hits. He struck out 5 and walked 1. Not a bad start for a guy making his first of this season.

Pedro's stuff looked good. His fastball reached 94 MPH, but didn't hit that number consistently. But who knows, maybe after some more work Pedro will be able to be more consistent with his velocity.

He had a lot of movement on his pitches. His cutter was cutting. His slider was sliding. And his curve ball was curving.

The Phillies offense has woken up from its slumber. Sure, maybe it was against a young pitcher making his first start, but this game could give the hitters more confidence.

Lidge is Not a Closer

Brad Lidge's ability as a closer was on display tonight at Wrigley Field. Brad gave up a 1-run lead in the ninth inning after walking the lead off batter. Lidge was perfect last season but has been anything but this year. His 7.29 ERA would hint at that.

While the Phillies did win tonight's game 4-3 in 12 innings, they should have won in the regulation 9. Lidge has blown 7 saves this season. The Phillies could have a bigger lead in the division if he had saved maybe 5 of those.

Lidge should be relegated to mop-up duty. I don't want to see him in a close game. Even in the lest pressure situations, Lidge is assured to give up his usual run or two. That won't fly in the playoffs.

We can only hope that another reliever steps up in Lidge's place. I don't know who that could be at the moment. Ryan Madson didn't do good in his last try as closer. Hey, there's always Tyler Walker.

Werth Delivers 10th Straight Win

        Jayson Werth finally ended a thrilling game for the Phils as they beat the Cubs 4-1.  Werth hit a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the 13th... Quite a way to keep the Phillies winning streak alive at ten.

        The game up until the bottom of the 13th was a pitchers duel between Joe Blanton and Rich Harden.  Jimmy Rollins epic shot in the third inning gave the Phils a 1-0 lead.  The Cubs then pushed a run across in the 4th.  For the next 9 innings the game would be scoreless.

        The Phils made some remarkable plays in the field late in the game.  In the ninth, a hard grounder by Kosuke Fukudome was kicked up by Brad Lidge.  The deflection went right to Jimmy Rollins at second.  Jimmy was already positioned there because Aramis Ramirez was stealing second... a terrific double play.

        The second great defensive play was made by Raul Ibanez in left.  He made a diving catch in extra innings which would have been a double if Pat the Bat was still in left field.  A potential game-saving catch.

        The Phillies bullpen didn't allow a run in 6 innings.  Chan Ho Park deserves credit for pitching a scoreless 10th, 11th, and 12th.  Park has been great since moving to the bullpen.