When someone hits a home run, color analyst Gary Matthews is likely to say that the guy just took a ride in the Cadillac. The Phillies have been doing a lot of that of late thanks in large part to Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth, who are suddenly both scorching. Last night they helped finally to give Joe Blanton, who has been sturdy but unrewarded, some rare offensive support. Werth hit a two-run homer to center. Howard hit a three-run shot that rattled around the back of the D'backs' bullpen. Even watching on TV, the sound of bat on ball for that one was commanding. Carlos Ruiz too hit a solo homer, which just made it over the left field fence.
In the end, it was a 12-3 win and a series sweep for the Phils. Blanton went a solid eight, got an RBI, and scored a run. This hitting thing is contagious. So is the good pitching. Phillies pitchers did not issue a single walk in the three-game series.
Nice to see that Kyle Drabek rebounded from his previous outing to pitch seven innings of shut-out ball in a 7-0 Reading win up in Portland.
Only five weeks to go.
