The Phillies took three of four from the San Diego Padres during a wrap-around series at the 'Zen. Friday night it was all Cole Hamels: one run on three hits in eight innings, 10 K's, one BB. Phillies took it 3-1.
Saturday, another day of stifling heat and humidity, was home run derby. Chase Utley started it with a three-run homer in the first. Kyle Kendrick kept the Padres at bay for a bit, skirted with disaster in the fourth and fith, and succumbed in the sixth, giving up two homers that tied the game. The Padres then took a 4-3 lead but leading off the seventh pinch-hitter Ryan Howard planted the first pitch he saw beyond the center field fence. Michael Martinez, in a bizarre failed-bunt sequence, then hit a three-run homer. Chase Utley later added a solo shot and the Phillies won 8-6.
Sunday was more heat and humidity. Roy Halladay, off his heat-exhaustion game, labored early and cruised late, setting down the last 10 batters he faced. Ryan Madson, back in the closer's role, pitched the ninth. The Phillies won 5-3.
Monday, another day game, was the clunker. Cliff Lee was not sharp on the mound or in the field. The Padres scored one of their five runs on a casual lob to first by Lee, who did not bother to check the runner at third. That guy, Chris Denorfia, promptly stole home. There were some other knuckleheaded plays in the fields that all added up to a Phillies' loss. Still, three of four ain't bad.
