Starters Duel, but their Bullpen gets it done

Written by Mike Mariano | 17 July 2010

(Note: When we did that Q&A with the Cubs blogger yesterday, they also interviewed me.  So to see me avoid accepting trades for Carlos Zambrano and what we might need to do during the deadline, run over there to see my answers: Talking Chicago Baseball)

Blanton and Lily put forth matching efforts through 7, allowing three runs each.  Difference is that Blanton was pitching with the lead on two different occasions and neither time could he hold it -- including walking in a run with TED LILLY hitting. From there it was a battle of the bullpens and theirs did what ours couldn't and threw two shut-out innings to finish the game and get the win.  Carlos Marmol struck out the side in the ninth, something that Phillies fans have more than likely not seen in years from a closer.

Offensively, Ryan Howard and newly found power monger Shane Victorino hit jacks to help the cause, but nobody could find one in the late innings when it was needed.  Marlon Byrd and Aramis Ramirez provided the power for the Cubbies -- Marlon's tied it as a two-run job and Aramis' was the go-ahead winner in the eighth.

First off, who the hell does Marlon Byrd think he is?  He was a marginal player at best as a Phillie and all of a sudden he's all-star caliber and playing his ass of elsewhere around the league.  Not that I'd trade any of our outfielders now for him, but stuff like that always grinds my gears.

Can't afford to start the break on a sour note (well we can, but I really don't want to), so let's see what Hamels bring to the table this afternoon: 1:05 start out in Chicago.