The Phils got another poor starting performance from Freddy Garcia and a poor job from emergency "closer" Ryan Madson but managed to hit four home runs and overcome their mound deficiencies. Garcia surrendered nine hits (including two home runs), two walks, and seven runs (six earned) in 5.1 innings. He labored as usual and did absolutely nothing to improve his standing with the team or its fans. Look for the Phils to trade Freddy at the July deadline because this is one declining pitcher who has absolutely no intention of re-signing with the Phils when his contract expires at the end of the year. GM Pat Gillick's only task when it comes to Garcia should be to try and get something of value for him, a task made all the more difficult by Garcia himself, whose value plummets with each outing. [Addendum: I just read this AM's article in the Inquirer in which Garcia is asked about not running out the ground ball to first and the boos that followed. When reporters asked how he felt about it he said he hit the ball, saw the fielder catch it and throw and he made an abrupt right turn toward the dugout. "For me, it's not a big deal. For people here, everything is a big deal." Ah, yes, the sore loser's favorite whipping boy, the "tough" and "unforgiving" Philadelphia sports fans. Imagine the nerve, booing a guy who pitches poorly nearly every time out and doesn't even bother to run to first base the few times a year he gets wood on the ball and actually has to run at all. It's the fans' fault, Freddy, because they expect far too much from a guy who makes $10 million a year to pitch every fifth day and hit even less often.]
As for Madson, he walked two batters to start the ninth inning and one came around to score the tying run. Madson has killed enough rallies or surrendered enough leads over the last two plus seasons for the Phillies to reach the conclusion he will never be reliable. The problem is they haven't got anyone else to trot out there these days.
On the plus side Chase Utley, Aaron Rowand, Ryan Howard and Victorino all homered to account for seven of the Phils' nine runs and Wes Helms delivered a crucial pinch-hit double during a five-run rally in the seventh. Howard's three-run shot to dead center field gave the Phils the lead that Madson latered surrendered, but Victorino's opposite field homer to left made the Phils winners. The usual suspects gathered around home plate in anticipation of the conquering hero's arrival and the picture shows an especially gleeful Howard, Victorino's close friend and buddy, ready to deliver the usual pounding that accompanies such feats. Also noteworthy in the picture is the presence smack dab in the middle of the throng of Carlos Ruiz, who has not only arrived as this club's primary catcher but also as a critical team member.
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