Phillies Pitchers Power Past Mets

When you think of the Philadelphia Phillies, you likely first think about their imposing lineup. But the team’s pitching is going to have to be stellar if the team is going to win back-to-back World Series championships. On Friday against the New York Mets, the team’s pitching unit looked very good as the Phillies won 4-2.

To start the game, Cole Hamels went 6.2 strong innings — allowing only one earned run while striking out six. Chan Ho Park and Brett Myers set the table for the new closer Ryan Madson. Madson, who has replaced Brad Lidge as the closer, pitched the ninth to record his seventh save of the season.

While Lidge hasn’t been the closer since his latest ugly outing, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel says that this switch isn’t permanent. Instead, Manuel said that he’s just giving Lidge a break. However, if Lidge struggles, the good news for Philadelphia is that Madson seems to be up for the job.

With the win, the Phillies now lead the NL East by six games over the Florida Marlins and eight games over the Atlanta Braves. Unless they fall apart, the Phillies will at least have a chance to defend their title in the 2009 baseball playoffs.

Will Brad Lidge regain his role as closer? (Image: Zuma Press)