Roy Halladay was brilliant before running into trouble again in the ninth. But with one Antonio Bastardo pitch, the Phillies beat the Padres 3-1 to complete their first four-game sweep in San Diego since Jimmy Carter was president.
Halladay (3-1) threw 130 pitches -- the most in the majors so far this season -- in 8 2/3 innings of work. The reigning Cy Young Award winner allowed five hits, one walk and one run while striking out a career-high 14 batters.
"I felt good," Halladay said. "Even at the end I felt good. It was one of those days where, especially through the middle innings, there weren't a lot of high-stress pitches, and I think
that plays a part into it, especially being able to throw more pitches. If you're doing it with the bases loaded every inning, it takes a different toll."
Doc was knocked for just two singles through the first eight innings but just like he did in a complete game a couple of starts ago, Halladay ran into a rough patch in the ninth. He allowed a Cameron Maybin leadoff single but was able to get Jason Bartlett to ground into a fielder’s choice before allowing a bloop single to Chase Headley.
Doc would get Ryan Ludwick to fly out for the second out but he was chased after Will Venable knocked an RBI single up the middle.
Doc left to the cheers of the many Phillies fans that took over Petco Park all weekend.
Exit Doc, enter Bastardo.
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The Phillies lefty used one pitch to get pinch-hitter Nick Hundley to fly out to end the game earning Bastardo his first career save.
All the offense Doc needed came in the sixth when Ben Francisco knocked home Jimmy Rollins with a single and John Mayberry Jr. doubled home Ryan Howard. But as was the case for much of this series the Phils offense stalled and they were unable to capitalize on a bases loaded, nobody out situation.
The Phils did manage to add an insurance run when Shane Victorino hit a dramatic inside-the-park home run in the seventh.
"I saw the ball go in the gap and I thought Venable had a good chance to catch the ball," Victorino said. "I saw him dive for the ball. At first I thought he caught it and then I located where
the ball was. The whole time I was running hard and Juan Samuel kept sending me and I kept going."
It was the first time the Phillies swept the Padres in San Diego since 1979.
There was some bad news though after the game -- it was announced that closer Jose Contreras was headed to the DL with an elbow injury. Righty Michael Stutes was called up to take the roster spot and it looks like Ryan Madson will take over closing duties.
The Phillies now head to Arizona for three with the Diamondbacks. Phillis ace No. 2 Cliff Lee (2-1) takes 3.91 ERA to the hill against righty Ian Kennedy (2-1, 5.64 ERA).
