The Vanimal Returns

After a shaky start to the season, Phillies pitcher Vance Worley was trying to locate his inner animal last night against the Padres.  In 7 innings of shut-out ball, the Vanimal has indeed returned.

The 11 strikeouts Worley recorded were a career high and left many Padres shaking their heads.  Worley did walk 3 batters, but only allowed 4 hits, fewer than Cliff Lee allowed the night before.  If Worley can maintain this pace, it will be a huge boost for the team going forward.

And they could use a boost because the Phillies batters have still not found their inner animal.  Right now they are playing at the level of a timid lamb instead of a proud lion, like Worley.  This zoo needs a serious upgrade.

After getting only 4 hits against the Giants in the previous game, against the Padres, the Phils posted only 6 hits.  It looked like they may get going when they scored a run in the first on a Jimmy Rollins sac fly.  But then with a man on third and only one out, the Phillies could not add on.

They scored only 2 total bookend runs, one in the 1st and one in the 9th on a wild pitch.  Thanks to the pitching from Worley, Chad Qualls and Jonathan Papelbon, 2 runs wound up being enough for the win.

Game 2 with the Padres starts at 10pm tonight…TGIF!

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Photoshopping by Jenn Zambri Photography