In a time when there is a new rumor every three minutes about the Phillies going after Carlos Beltran or some other big-name bat, you
would think that the offense is incapable of producing. You would think that they would be a team like the Mariners, losers of their last ten, and incapable of scoring. However, after games like today, where the Phillies are able to put up nine runs in weather that feels like 110, it makes you wonder why the Phillies even consider adding anyone.
After surrendering an early lead in each of the last two games, the Phillies were the ones to jump on the Cubs archaic scoreboard early, tallying five runs in the first two innings. However, even with a five run lead the Phillies would show no mercy, running the score up to 7-0 by the end of the 4th inning, including two RBI doubles from Chase Utley. Jimmy Rollins would add two home runs in the 6th and 8th, giving the Phillies nine runs in total.
Today’s offensive explosion wasn’t just a one man job though, with six different players getting RBIs, led by the top three hitters (Rollins, Martinez, and Utley) who earned six of those RBIs. They also gathered seven of the Phillies 12 hits, and though nobody would have guessed it, Michael Martinez looks to be hitting a stride as of late, going 2-5 today. Martinez is now batting .310 this month, raising his batting average to .236, monumentally higher than the .190 average he had almost a month ago. Right now, it looks like Martinez won’t be going anywhere.
However, starting pitcher Vance Worley wouldn’t be outdone in his quest for sixth win, keeping the Cubs hit-less through 4.1 innings, allowing just a total of four hits through his eight incredible innings. He only gave up one run, but he dominated the Cubs, striking out seven batters.
Worly has emerged as the Phillies fourth ace, dominating opponents left and right with his superb ERA of 2.02, and having only one bad game, his May 29th start against the Mets. A lot of people have said that with this performance, Worley has become a prime trade target, and if the Phillies are not able to hit consistently, and do want a Carlos Beltran or a Hunter Pence, he may end up being someone who is talked about, and possibly traded.
But if the Phillies bats can somehow keep up this sort of production, or even score four runs consistently, there will be no reason to trade for a Carlos Beltran type player, and possibly trade away their future. Unfortunately, the Phillies will need to hit incredibly for the next five or ten day, with the non-waiver trade deadline looming just 11 days away.
The Phillies return home from the sweltering Chicago heat with a day off tomorrow, playing next on Friday night, as Cole Hamels and the rest of the Phillies take on the Padres.
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