Pocket Aces

Back-to-back shut outs: a loss and a win. Last night, Brett Myers pitched very well. He took a no-hitter into the 7th inning and his final line consisted of 1 earned over 7 1/3 innings on 1 hit and 6 walks, while striking out 8. The Phillies would lose the game 2-0 as Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez absolutely dominated the Phillies lineup, striking out 8 batters.

Today was a different story as the Phillies turned the table and shut out the Reds 5-0. Cole Hamels pitched his second complete game shut-out on the season and rebounded nicely after two poor starts. After, a shaky first few innings, Cole settled down and pitched exceptionally well. He also struck out 4. The Phillies ended their homestand going 9-1.
The Phillies benefited from 3 reds errors that turned into 3 runs for the Phils. Geoff Jenkins hit a solo home run and Ryan Howard had an RBI single. Reds pitcher, Homer Bailey pitched well, but they could not do anything against Cole Hamels and the Phillies defense.

Ken Griffey, Jr. started his first game of the series and nearly hit his 600th home run twice, but one was a double and the other a great catch in center by Shane Victorino. "The Kid" received an amazing standing ovation from the generally tough Philadelphia crowd.

Coined "1a and 1b", Brett Myers and Cole Hamels finally pitched well in back to back starts. They threw 16 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 12 combined Reds. If the Phillies can continue to get this type of pitching from their "aces", watch out.

The Phillies have an extremely tough stretch ahead. First, they go on a 9 game road-trip against Atlanta, Florida, and St. Louis. After that, they return home to face defending World Series champs, the Red Sox and AL West's best in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim