Worley Wins Again

After nearly two hours of a rain delay, the second game of this Phillies - Braves series finally got underway.  And for Vance Worley especially, this was a very good thing.

In the last 14 starts by Worley, the Phillies have won every game.  The Phillies record for consecutive team wins with one starter was set by Steve Carlton in 1972.  Worley is on pace to tie that mark.

 

Although his starts never seem to be without a few troubles, Worley has developed into a pitcher who does not get rattled, as evidenced by the bases loaded, no out jam he pitched himself into in the 6th inning.  But still unshaken, Worley weaved his way out of the inning having allowed only one run to tie the game, 2-2.

The offense kept plugging away at the Braves as well.  Chase Utley homered in the 1st to start the scoring.  Ryan Howard and Hunter Pence did some damage as well.  But the big bat on this night was Raul Ibanez , who went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, including a double that bounced off the outfield wall, missing a homer by about an inch.

The resurgence of Ibanez has been encouraging.  Either he realizes that with John Mayberry Jr. in the mix, his job is in jeopardy or the time off is allowing him to stay fresh between starts.  Either way, this semi-platoon in left field is working.

This 6-3 win put the Phillies 9.5 games ahead of the Braves in the NL East.  With this commanding lead, any hopes the Braves had of catching the Phillies went out the window.  It also put the Phillies at the 90-win mark with 18 games to go.

Game 3 is scheduled for 7:05pm, weather permitting, and Roy Oswalt will pitch.

 

Photo by Jenn Zambri Photography