Phillies Recap: Phillies 10 Astros 2

In an effort to bring you the most extensive Phils coverage, the effervescent Phillies Superfan Ballz D. McGuillicuty will be providing you with his insights after every Phils game. Hold onto your butts.

The Good:
Total reversal from yesterday, the offense. Definitively a team effort with 7 players recording at least 2 hits each, 7 different players scoring a run and 5 different players batting in runs. Taguchi had a good game out of the leadoff spot and I think I would start an OF with Taguchi and Werth playing at the same time and assuming the 1-2 spots in the batting order for now. And Chris Coste needs to start the next couple of days. 4-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI now batting .400. I firmly believe if Charlie tuned into this blog, the Phillies would have at least one more victory today then they do.

The Bad: (Because even in victory, there is still defeat...)

Eric Bruntlett. Still just brutal at the plate. 16 hits. Every starter had at least 2, with the exception of Bruntlett and Myers, the former 0-5, the latter 0-3. At least Myers managed to draw a walk. Bruntty (need a better nickname for him) managed to strand 8 men on base by himself. And his highlight play of the game, a falling to the ground grab off an early inning line drive, was made to be far more difficult then it actually was. It should've been an easy double play but our man Eric stumbled over one of those pesky infield groundhogs and was lucky to get one out. Editors note: Upon further research, I've found that Bruntlett's nickname when he was on the Astros was 'Superman', reportedly awarded because of his ability to play multiple positions on the diamond. Digging deeper, this investigative journalist has discovered that the nickname actually originated from an awkward scene in which Bruntlett was seen running around Minute Maid Park in tights and a cape, shouting 'I don't want to live this lie any longer!'

Clay Condrey: Anyone else aware that the Phillies have signed veteran lefty Steve Kline to a minor league deal? Anyone else aware that Condrey stinks? Anyone else aware that the Phillies continue to baffle their fans with their roster moves, or more notably their lack there of? So what, if Condrey is out of options? You think anyone's gonna claim Clay, his hefty ERA and his amazing inability to pitch scoreless innings off waivers? This enough questions for everyone?

The Hero:
The bench. Taguchi, Dobbs and Coste combined to go 8 for 15 with 4 runs scored, 3 RBI and 0 strike outs.

The Goat:
Brandon Backe, becoming the only of the 6 starting pitchers in this series to not turn in a quality effort.

The Bottom Line:
This was a big win for the Phightins. This gives them 2 straight series wins and some momentum heading into this weekend's series vs the Mets. Now we get the potential classic, Hamels v Santana, tonight. Too often, games of this hype fail to live up to the expectations. However, sometimes they do; see Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, Jack Morris v John Smoltz, aka the greatest baseball game of my lifetime. Quick tidbit. I am setting the over/under at 2.5 for the number of times Howard strikes out tonight. Nothing I have seen this season, even with his HR yesterday, has inspired any hope in me whatsoever that he'll be able to touch Santana. But, I think the Phils take this one. Not quite an epic, but a good game: Phils 3 Mets 2. Predicted hero? Who else but Pat Burrell?