For a second consecutive night the offense played possum; luckily, Greg Dobbs didn’t. The all-world pinch hitter — carrying a .345 average going into tonight’s game — drove home Pedro Feliz with a ninth-inning single to win the game for the Phillies, 1-0.
The win went to Tom Gordon, who pitched a scoreless eighth. Brad Lidge was grimy in striking out Jesus Flores and Wily Mo Pena, but walked two before getting Felipe Lopez to eagerly ground one out to end it. Cole Hamels pitched another gem, going seven innings and giving up four hits and two walks while striking out 11, tying his season high. Hamels has now thrown 19-consecutive scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 2.61.
It’s a shame he couldn’t get the win. The Phils left 14 men on base. Was it Jason Bergmann, who pitched seven shutout innings and induced a slew of infield and foul pop outs? He pitched well, mixing up his stuff and keeping the Phils guessing, but come on, Bergmann is no Tim Redding.
Shane Victorino couldn’t get the job done in the eighth, flying out with a runner in scoring position. Chase Utley also faltered in a key spot. Ryan Howard struck out three more times, giving him 68 strikeouts in 197 plate appearances. That’s a strikeout in every 2.9 plate appearances. Pat Burrell continued his slide and is now at .278. The entire offense is dead.
Except for Dobbs — thank God.
Associated Press photo
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