sportsjabber.net

J.A. Happ didn’t start the year in the starting rotation, but he’ll definitely finish the year that way.

Happ started off the 2009 season in the bullpen while Chan-Ho Park took the start every fifth day. Park, a free agent pickup, was supposed to fill that elusive fifth-starter spot. However, after a few bad outings from Park, Charlie Manuel had enough and threw the kid in there.

Since then, Happ hasn’t looked back and is a perfect 5-0 for the year. Throw in a no-decision and you’ve got Happ’s year thus far.

Personally, I can’t believe the Phils didn’t start him right off the bat (forgive the pun), but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

Now, in a season where pitching is obviously a weak-spot, Happ has been a shining star.

Today, Happ pitched his first complete game, and his first shutout of his professional career. Not even in the minor league system did Happ throw a shutout, or a complete game.

Happ threw an even 100 pitches, gave up only five hits, didn’t allow a single walk, and added four strike-outs just for good measure.

On the other side of the plate, Jayson Werth had a fantastic day today, going 4-4 with a single, double, and two home runs. One of which he blasted into the upper deck, the other came just a couple pitches after fouling a ball off into his knee.

Feliz also pitched in (again, the puns, I’m sorry) with a home run in the first inning, his fourth of the season.

Phillies batting:

Philadelphia AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG

Victorino, CF 4 1 1 0 1 2 3 .297

Werth, RF 4 3 4 3 1 0 0 .269

Utley, 2B 4 1 0 0 1 0 3 .299

Dobbs, 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230

Howard, 1B 4 2 3 1 1 1 1 .257

Mayberry, LF 4 1 0 0 0 3 6 .250

Feliz, 3B-SS 5 1 2 2 0 0 6 .287

Coste, DH 5 1 2 1 0 1 1 .245

Bruntlett, SS-2B 4 0 0 1 0 1 2 .129

Ruiz, C 5 0 2 2 0 1 1 .248

Totals 39 10 14 10 4 9 23

The Phils will look to keep this going tomorrow against the Blue Jays at 1PM EST.

Hopefully they can keep winning and fend off the Mets until they meet at Citizens Bank Park on July 3rd.

More…

By Bob Cunningham
Writer/Blogger, SJ Contributing Author

TWOMINUTES TOMIDNIGHTGREEN