Martinez Goes Seven Innings as Phillies Edge Giants
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The rains stayed away in Philadelphia and Pedro Martinez posted easily his best effort since joining the Phillies in going seven impressive innings on Thursday to best San Francisco’s Cy Young Award candidate Tim Lincecum. Rightfielder Jayson Werth belted a second inning 1 out solo homer off of Lincecum to tie the game at 1-1 and 1st baseman Ryan Howard doubled in the winning run in the sixth after 2nd baseman Chase Utley was hit by a pitch. Reliever Ryan Madson and closer Brad Lidge finished up as Martinez went seven innings and the Phillies edged the Giants by a 2-1 score to take 2 of their 3 game series.
With the win, the Phillies lead over both Atlanta and Florida stands at 8 1/2 games as the Braves again lost to the Marlins. The Mets, who pounded Colorado to salvage a game from their 3 game series, remained 18 1/2 games back in 4th place. The Giants stand at 1 game behind the Rockies in the NL wild card race.
Pedro gave up a first inning, 1st pitch leadoff homer to leftfielder Eugenio Velez, got shortstop Edgar Renteria to ground out and then gave up a double to leftfield by 3rd baseman Pablo Sandoval. He then retired the next 11 Giants in a row while he engaging in a classic pitchers’ duel outpitching last season’s Cy Young award winner lefthander Tim Lincecum.
Martinez went 87 pitches and seven innings without walking a hitter while striking out 9 and giving up only 5 hits. One would have to go back to his seasons with the Boston Red Sox to find a comparable vintage Martinez outing.
AP Sports writer Rob Maaddi’s game recap for Yahoo sports describes Pedro’s effort:
“I flashed back to the good old times,” Martinez said. “I don’t have the power I used to have, but I always said it’s not about power, it’s about hitting your spots.”
Jayson Werth homered for the NL East-leading Phillies, who are 16-6 since getting swept by Florida at home last month.
The 37-year-old Martinez, plagued by injuries and inconsistency during his last three seasons with the Mets, looked like the guy who won three Cy Young Awards and was one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation.
Martinez had plenty of pop on his fastball, often reaching the low 90s on the radar gun, and mixed in an effective changeup.
“He had a little more life on his fastball, good movement and he had good command,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He used his changeup well. I will admit he had a little bit more life than I thought.”
Martinez was lifted for a pinch hitter after Carlos Ruiz hit a two-out double in the seventh. Ryan Madson pitched a perfect eighth and Brad Lidge finished for his 28th save in 37 chances.
With the score tied at 1-1 in the sixth inning, Lincecum retired shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Shane Victorino before hitting Utley on an 0-1 pitch. Howard then took a strike before driving in Utley with a double to left centerfield, for what proved to be the winning run.
Closer Brad Lidge retired the 1st two hitters he faced in the ninth before running into trouble giving up a single to rightfielder Randy Winn. Winn stole 2nd base as 2nd baseman Juan Uribe walked. Winn stole 3rd on a 1 ball, 2 strike pitch to pinch hitter Fred Lewis before Lidge got Lewis to ground into a fielder’s choice for the final out of the game.
Lincecum deserved better than to be charged with the loss in this game but once again fell victim of lack of offensive support by the Giants offense. He went seven innings and threw 96 pitches giving up 2 runs on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 11 Phillies. He struck out Utley and Howard twice and got rightfielder Raul Ibanez on strikes 3 times.
For the scores of all of Thursday’s games, click here.
The Phillies leave for a 7 game road trip beginning on Friday playing 4 games in Houston and then 3 games in Washington. In Friday’s opener Cliff Lee is opposed by Wandy Rodriguez in a battle of lefthanders. In Saturday’s game 2, Joe Blanton faces Roy Oswalt.
For all of Friday’s and Saturday’s games, click here and here.
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