After 4 previous unsuccessful attempts, games, Phillies rookie pitcher Scott Mathieson (1-2) finally gained his first major league win by going 5 innings as the Phils edged the St. Louis Cardinals by a 5-3 score.

The Phils charged out to a 3-0 lead in the 3rd inning on Cardinal starter and losing pitcher Jeff Suppan (8-6) on 1st baseman Ryan Howard’s (36 HRs, 90 RBIs, .286 BA) 2 run single and a ground out which scored 2nd baseman Chase Utley (21 HRs, 69 RBIs, .328 BA) who had earlier reached on a fielding error by Cards 1st baseman Albert Pujols (33 HRs, 87 RBIs, .321 BA).  Utley, by the way, had two hits in the game, singles in the 1st and 9th innings in extending his ML season-high hitting streak to 33 consecutive games. 

The Cardinals returned the favor though, tying the Phils with 3 runs in the bottom of the 4th inning.  Centerfielder Jim Edmunds (16 HRs, 58 RBIs, .260 BA) singled in a run, 2nd baseman Ronnie Belliard (8 HRs, 45 RBIs, .291 BA) grounded to 3rd base scoring a run and pitcher Suppan singled driving in the tying run.

In the 5th, Ryan Howard clubbed a solo homer to give the Phils a 4-3 lead which they never relinquished.  In the 6th inning, catcher Chris Coste (4 HRs, 16 RBIs, .343 BA) solo homered providing the Phils with an insurance run.

Both Mathieson and Suppan were pulled after 5 complete innings with Suppan giving up Coste’s homer and a single before being pulled.  Both bullpens closed down the opposition for the remainder of the game.  Closer Tom Gordon (3-3, 2.56 ERA, S26) pitched the 9th inning and was credited with the save.
 
For a full recap including box score and play-by-play on Tuesday’s game, click here.

The series continues on Wednesday as Brett Myers (6-5) goes for the Phils opposed by Jeff Weaver (4-11), recently acquired from the Los Angeles Angels, going for the Cards.

For full coverage of Wednesday’s games in both leagues; previews, recaps, box scores and play-by-play coverage click here.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006 at 2:35 am and is filed under Real-Time Baseball News and Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.