The Phillies wrapped up 2008 Alumni Weekend with a 5-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. The win was the team’s fifth straight and completed a four-game sweep of Miami. There was a lot to dig into with this one, so here’s what I liked and what I didn’t from today’s game:
What I Liked
Aaron Nola. Nola is a bona fide ace. He allowed two runs over six innings, and was in line for the win before Seranthony Dominguez allowed the Marlins to tie it up. If Nola had better bullpen support, he would almost definitely be on his way to a 20-win season.
Asdrubal Cabrera. The AssMan homered for the second consecutive game, this time hitting a two-run shot that gave the Phillies the lead that they would never relinquish.
Pat Neshek. Neshek ended up getting the win in this game, his first of the season. His scoreless inning dropped his ERA this year to 0.79 (he’s only been back from injury for a few weeks, but still impressive nonetheless).
Odubel Herrera. Herrera was 1-2 with 2 RBIs and worked a walk. He was dropped from third to sixth in the lineup, and that may have been the shot in the arm that he needed.
Maikel Franco. Maik continued his recent tear, following up Herrera’s two-run RBI single with an RBI single of his own. Franco’s recent production makes me very happy. He started off the year slow, and through all of the Manny Machado-to-Phillies rumors, he put his head down and got his job done. I’m almost happy that the Phils didn’t give up the farm in exchange for Machado since Franco has been crushing it lately.
What I Didn’t Like
Rhys Hoskins. Rhys had an off night, going 0-4 and leaving two men on base. Rhys had been on a serious hot streak, and I was kind of wondering when he would come back down to Earth a bit.
Seranthony Dominguez. Seranthony gave up a run in his one inning of action, allowing the Marlins to tie it up. Nola was stuck with a no-decision. It’s a shame that Nola keeps having these awesome performances and either the offense or the bullpen can’t help him out a little.
Jorge Alfaro. Alfaro went 1-3 at the plate, but was picked off at first base by Marlins catcher Bryan Holaday. Baserunning errors have plagued the Phillies for the past few years, so this one was frustrating.
What I Liked the Most
Phils win. Their lead in the NL East stays at 1.5 games over the Braves. Be Bold.
ReJoyce 