Madson cleans up for Lidge

The Philadelphia Phillies got back on the winning track last night, even though their closer gave them a scare, yet again.  Five solo home runs produced the runs, and they included two Ibanez shots, and one each by Jayson Werth, Carlos Ruiz and Chase Utley.  Pedro Martinez(4-0) stayed perfect in a Phillies uniform going 6.2 innings allowing just seven hits and three runs before giving way to the Phillies bullpen.  Lidge came in for a save but loaded the bases with just one out before Ryan Madson earned his fifth save of the season without allowing a run in for a final of 5-3.  Phillies Phandom has more on this win and Lidge’s struggles.

Nationals starter John Lannon started out well, but in the seventh it fell apart for him.  Lannan(8-11) lasted 6.2 innings allowing six hits on four runs and four solo home runs in taking this loss, and all four home runs were between the fifth and seventh innings.  Christian Guzman and Will Nieves contributed RBI singles for the Nats and Willie Harris got them closer with a solo shot but that would be it.  Check out Centerfield Gate for more Nats news.

Maybin with the final blow

Last night the Marlins did not get a whole lot of offense, but the offense they did receive was big. Hanley Ramirez hit a third inning two run home run scoring Chris Coghlan and in the fourth, Cameron Maybin hit another in the fourth scoring Cody Ross in the 4-2 victory.  Rick VandenHurk pitched well enough to win but left in the fourth with back spasms after allowing only one run on four hits.  Brian Sanches(4-1) was credited with the win by pitching two scoreless and hitless innings for the Marlins as Leo Nunez worked a perfect ninth for his 19th save of the season, FishGuts has more on this game and the Fish.

Tim Redding couldn’t find the strike zone last night at all, as he walked four in five innings.  Worse than that was when he grooved a few balls down the zone rather than walk a few other batters, leading to the walks.  Redding(2-5) had a final line of five innings with five hits four runs and four strike outs and the two homers.  The Mets got their runs on rookie Josh Thole’s first MLB RBI and a Luis Castillo infield single in the fourth and fifth respectively.  Check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more.

Vazquez stops the streak

Javier Vazquez finally stopped what turned into a five game losing streak for the Atlanta Braves.  Vazquez(12-9) went seven innings and allowed only three hits on four runs and nine strike outs and allowed zero runs.  He got run support from Adam LaRoche and Nate McClouth both hitting solo home runs for the small margin of victory, 2-1.  Rafael Soriano got his 22nd save but not after giving up three hits and a run in the ninth inning, The Braves Baseball Blog has more on the Bravos.

The Astros put Felipe Paulino on the mound and he absolutely pitched well enough to win.  Paulino(2-8) went six innings while allowing four hits and two runss, both on home runs but the Astros offense faltered.  Hunter Pence got the lone RBI as he drove in Miguel Tejada in the ninth inning.