Game 52: Late rally secures Phillies' series victory (33-19)

Mike Pelfrey made the first seven innings of last night's game pretty painful to watch from an offensive standpoint. Those are the types of games that I get extremely frustrated while watching. However, Cole Hamels pitched well last night, and kept the Phillies in the game.

In the 8th inning last night, the Phillies recorded two quick outs before Jimmy Rollins lined a single back up the middle. The Mets brought in LHP Mike O'Connor to face Chase Utley. After Rollins successfully stole second base, Chase Utley hit a ball to the opposite field that scored Jimmy Rollins and tied the game. The Mets countered with Jason Isringhausen, and Chase Utley promptly stole second base, and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. After Polanco walked, the Mets made another pitching change, and brought in LHP Tim Byrdak. For some strange reason, with two outs, and Raul Ibanez on deck, the Mets chose to pitch to Ryan Howard. Howard lined a ball down the right field line and into the corner for a 2-run double. Maybe had RF Carlos Beltran hustled to the ball, he could have prevent Polanco from scoring from 1B, but as a result, the Phils put up a three spot to take a 2 run lead. I think it's crazy that the Mets elected to pitch to Howard with Raul Ibanez looming.

After the Phillies tacked on another run in the top of the 9th, Ryan Madson came in to close the door for a 3-run save. You will most definitely hear Mr. Musser and I start complaining should Madson continue to be called upon for 3-run saves. The team has about a 97% chance of winning when up 3 in the last inning, and there is no reason to risk overworking your best reliever with those odds of winning, especially when he has now pitched on 4 of the last 5 days.

The Phillies go for the sweep today as Vance Worley takes the mound against Jonathon Niese.