The Phils continued their dominance of the Nationals in game two. The Nats did put more runs up on the board and show a little life defensively this time. Cole Hamels gave just enough and the bullpen did the rest over the final four frames. Ryan Madson came in to close it out and earn a save. Hamels line read five hits, three runs (two earned) and five K's over five innings of work. He lacked control and command. Ryan Howard blasted his second home run of the season in the fifth off of Jason Marquis, who had a considerably rough outing with his new team. Placido Polanco picked up where left off adding three runs and Chase Utley had two as well an RBI. The Phils officially claimed Nelson Figueroa.
Going for an opening series sweep, Kyle Kendrick lasted just four innings giving up six hits and five runs, including a HR. Despite the rough outing, the Phils managed to stage a rally only to fall short in a 6-5 loss. Nelson Figueroa (and took the loss) gave up the tying run Phils still take the series two game to one. The top of the order had a great day with most batters going 2/4 or 2/5 and counting as a run. Jayson Werth went 3/5 with a run. Raul Ibanez continued his slow start going 0/4 with two strike-outs. The Phillies head to Houston next with J.A. Happ starting the series off.
The Mets didn't have the kind of luck the Phils did. They rallied to tie the game at six before falling in extras 7-6 on a Ronny Paulino RBI grounder to center in the tenth. John Maine lasted five innings giving up two HR's and four runs on eight hits. The bullpen wasn't much better giving up another three between Mejia, Green, and Takashi. K-Rod and Feliciano pitched a combined two innings of scoreless ball on two hits(noth given up by Rodriguez). Jason Bay had the best day going 1/3 with two runs. A plsu was the Mets drawing nine walks out of the Marlins, but the pitching still appears to be the problem carried over from last season.
Jon Niese dueled against new Marlins pitcher Nate Robertson and came up on the losing end giving the Marlins the series. Niese worked six innings on eight hits and three runs striking out three. He looked good despite giving up the hits, but the offense simply wasn't there. Once again, the blame goes to the bottom of the order. Jeff Francouer and Angel Pagan were solid offensively. The thing about this game was seeing the upside Niese and Francouer are bringing to New York, both men looked like the investment they were thought to be. The Mets face the Nationals today with Mike Pelfrey going against Garrett Mock.
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