The Vanimal pitched the first ever complete game of his Major League career, and got his 5th consecutive win.
Vance Worley is proving himself far too useful to trade. In his last seven starts he is 5-0 with a 1.14 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .151 off of the Vanimal.
Rich Dubee wanted Charlie Manual to bring in Antonio Bastardo to finish the game, but Charlie had none of that.
“I was still letting him go,” Charlie said. “I wanted him to finish the game. I wanted him to finish the game for himself.”
We’re glad he did.
If Roy Oswalt can return to this rotation healthy they look to virtually unstoppable.
The offense didn’t let Vance down. Homers from Howard, Mayberry, Raul Ibanez (3-run), and an inside-the-park home run from Chase Utley powered the Phillies to victory.
Since Tim Lincecum was scratched from last night’s game it’s still up in the air who will face Cole Hamels. It could be Tim, or it could be Matt Cain. Either way, look for Hamels to come out guns blazing.
From the Elias Sports Bureau-
Vance’s studly start:
Vance Worley won his fifth straight start on Tuesday, tying the longest streak by any rookie pitcher this season. The Mets’ Dillon Gee won five straight starts in May and June. Worley is the first Phillies rookie to win five straight starts since Charles Hudson did it in the summer of 1983; the last longer streak was by Grover Alexander in 1911 (6 games).
Chase Utley’s inside-the-parker:
Chase Utley hit his third career inside-the-park home run on Tuesday, tying him for the highest total among active players. Bobby Abreu,Carl Crawford, David DeJesus and Jimmy Rollins also have three inside-the-parkers.
Curtsey of Elias Sports Bureau and ESPN
It was a thrilling game to say the least. The look on Vance’s face after completing 9 innings last night was absolutely priceless! What joy!
It was great to see the smile on his face, I agree.