Philadelphia Phillies: Regular season results – MLB May 2011
After improving their win-loss record to 18-8 in the month of April, Philadelphia Phillies were hoping to reach the top of Wild Card standings with strong performances in May 2011 as well. Securing series’ victories over Houston Astros, New York Mets, Atlanta
Braves, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres to start their season with, things seemed to be on the right track for Charlie Manuel and his men.
In game one of a three match series with Washington Nationals, the Phillies looked in commanding form as they floored their rivals 4-1 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Cole Hamels raised his game to a higher level as he allowed only five hits and the Phillies
got past the Nationals.
"Being a pitcher, you're not supposed to hit," Hamels said. "We have a competition among the starters and I don't want to lose."
The Phillies continued their impressive form in game two of the series as well. Showing no signs of nerves under pressure, they clinched another deserving win to take a decisive 2-0 lead. Vance Worley pitched in six sharp innings and Raul Ibanez hit a towering
homer on three hits to let Phillies earn their first series win of the month.
"I'm just trying to contribute the best I can," Worley said. "Some things are going my way."
"He's been very good," manager Charlie Manuel said. "He has good stuff, keeps his composure and he's focused on what he's doing. He's shown he can pitch."
With momentum on their side, the Phillies were absolutely unstoppable in the third and final game of the series. Dominating their opponents in almost all aspects of the game, they completed their first series sweep of the month in emphatic fashion.
Roy Halladay struck-out ten in seven sharp innings and Raul Ibanez smashed a gigantic home-run to help his side beat the Nationals in a fairly one sided contest. The win also improved Phillies’ win-loss record to 21-9.
"He's got a shorter swing, quicker bat, he's staying on the ball, being selective," Manuel said. "The biggest thing is he's getting hits."
Although Manuel’s side lost to the Atlanta Braves, they bounced back brilliantly in a three match series against the Florida Marlins. The Phillies held their nerves to clinch a thrilling opening game 6-1. Although they lost their way a bit in the second
game, they outplayed the opposition in the third and final game to take their second series win of the month.
With series’ wins over Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets, the Phillies ended the month on a pretty decent note, improving their win-loss record to 34-21. The rest of the League was taking notice at the sheer pitching dominance showed by the
Phillies.
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