Philadelphia Phillies defeat Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 – MLB Update
Roy Halladay produced yet another magnificent performance from the mound as the Philadelphia Phillies overcame the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 on Friday, September 9 to gain a precious two-game lead in the four-game series at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Phillies bagged their 93rd win of the season to extend their lead atop the National League. Both teams are assured a spot in the playoffs and this series is a good time to experiment their tactics for the big stage.
Known for their pitching strength, the Phillies outshone the Brewers on the plate as well, scoring three runs in the first inning before extending their lead to five runs in the seventh. Shane Victorino showed glimpses of a return to top-form, going 1-for-5
and scoring a run to improve his batting average to .298 for the season. Victorino was scratched from the All-Star game due to injury but has since showed immense improvement in both fitness and form.
Placido Polanco, Hunter Pence and Ryan Howard replicated Victorino, all producing one hit on five at-bats except Howard, who took three at-bats to achieve the feat. Howard was the most productive batter for the National League stalwarts, driving in three
runs and scoring another two to push his batting average above the .250 mark for the season.
Howard smashed a three-run home-run in the first inning down the right flank, allowing Pence and Victorino to complete their runs before Polanco and Howard scored in the seventh inning to finish their scoring for the night.
Halladay pitched eight neat-innings to restrict the Brewers to just four hits and a solitary run in his spell. He struck-out nine batters over a stretch of 120 pitches to win his 17th start this season with just five losses against his name thus
far. Halladay’s ERA dropped down to 2.44, sending a strong signal of his form to the opposition teams.
Antonio Bastardo came in to close the game for the Phillies but leaked two runs over just eight pitches and was thus immediately replaced by Ryan Madson, who pitched a perfect inning to save his 29th game.
Casey McGehee scored twice for the Brewers while Prince Fielder was the other scorer for the home side.
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