What a strange game this 8-6 loss was. The pitching duel didn't materialize, as both Clayton Kershaw and Cole Hamels struggled, to varying degrees. Kershaw completely lost it in the fifth, giving up five runs, missing the ever-shrinking strike zone (same for both teams though) with more regularity. Two crushing blows stand out, a pair of three run homers. One was hit by Dodger nemesis Carlos Ruiz off Kershaw, the other was hit by Raul Ibanez off George Sherrill, who was something less than effective on this night.
Sherrill walked his first two hitters, then gave up the shot to Ibanez, turning a close game into an 8-4 Phillies' advantage. All season, Sherrill faced 86 lefthanded batters. He walked just six of them and allowed no home runs. Ryan Howard was one of the two walks issued by Sherrill (RHB Jayson Werth was the other), and the LHB Ibanez hit the home run.
The Dodgers showed life, with multiple rallies, getting the tying run on base or at the plate several times. Much like the Dodgers fell short in the end, I lack the energy to write a sufficient recap to this game. More cogent thoughts will surely follow.
Vicente Padilla faces Old Friend Pedro Martinez tomorrow in a 1:07pm start. I suggest limiting the three-run homers.
WP - Cole Hamels (1-1): 5.1 IP, 8 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts
LP - Clayton Kershaw (0-1): 4.2 IP, 4 hits, 5 runs, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts
Sv - Brad Lidge (3): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 walk