Game 72: Phils, bullpen defeat Hernandez (45-27)

Vance Worley pitched well last night, throwing 5 innings and only allowing one run. Manuel correctly removed Worley after the 5th inning (he had thrown 96 pitches) and handed the game over to his bullpen. Michael Stutes threw an inning and two thirds, Bastardo pitched an inning and a third, and Madson shut down the 9th inning for the 5-1 victory.

Normally I'd be opposed to Manuel's using Madson in a 4-run game in the ninth inning, but Madson had only pitched once in the previous 5 days. The Phils scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning with two outs, so Madson had already been warming up. Since Monday is an off-day, it is very unlikely that his appearance last night will cause him to be unavailable in the future. No complaints for the manager today.

Today the Phils try to win the series when Cole Hamels faces LHP Jason Vargas.