Despite Scare, Phillies Win

    The Phillies held a lead for the majority of tonight's game against the Cincinnati Reds, that is until the extremely shaky bullpen put an end to that.  After a solid effort from Cliff Lee, Antonio Bastardo did all he could to assure that Lee would not receive the win, although wins don't matter for the pitcher, only for the team so who cares.

    Lee looked sharp in his seven innings pitched, allowing 2 runs on 7 hits, while recording 7 strikeouts.  After hitting 100 pitches a little earlier than normal, the Phillies took a chance, leaving Lee in to start the seventh inning, and it paid off as he turned in a quick scoreless inning before handing things over to the incapable bullpen.
    Antonio Bastardo came on to start the eighth inning and quickly squandered the small lead the Phillies had, allowing a solo home run to Joey Votto to tie the game.  Bastardo struck out the next batter before allowing a single and being lifted from the game in favor of Justin De Fratus, who quickly recorded the final 2 outs of the inning.  After the Phillies regained the lead in the bottom half of the frame, Jonathan Papelbon came on to record the save, his eighth of the season.
    The Phillies grabbed the initial lead in the bottom of the third on a two run home run courtesy of Jimmy Rollins.  It was the first non solo home run for the Phillies in way too long.  Michael Young tripled home another run in the bottom of the fifth, and went 1 for 1 on the evening, with 3 walks.  Young extended his team leading number of walks to 22 on the season, and helped my case that he should hit lead off (see earlier blog post).
    Cliff Lee allowed a two run home run in the top of the sixth, and then Antonio Bastardo allowed the game tying home run in the eighth.  The Phillies regained the lead for good after the Reds committed an error with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, and added an insurance run on a Carlos Ruiz sacrifice fly after that.
    So the Phillies were able to escape with a 5-3 win in the end.  They will face the Reds again tomorrow as Kyle Kendrick gets the start.