As the year comes to a close it’s time to look back at some of the top moments from the Philadelphia Phillies 2010 season. While the team came short of their ultimate goal of winning a World Series championship, there were still several great memories from the past year. It’s time to look back on the top moments of 2010 leading up to the number one memory which will be unveiled on New Years Eve.
#25: Roy vs. Roy – April 11th
Roy Halladay was brilliant in his second career start for the Phillies as he outdueled Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt to give the Phillies a 2-1 victory and move Philadelphia to 5-1 on the season.
Roy Halladay picked up his 150th career victory and 50th career complete game
Halladay was in complete control throughout the Sunday afternoon’s contest picking up the complete game win. It was the 150th win and 50th complete game of his storied career.
“He made some quality pitches and did exactly what he’s supposed to do,” said Charlie Manuel.
“The closer you get the more fun it is, really,” said Halladay. “You’d like to have it a little easier than the sixth and seventh, but once you get out of that trouble and you know you’re getting closer, that’s when you want to be out there. It’s fun to make pitches in those situations.”
Halladay cruised through the first 5 innings of the game before getting himself into trouble for the first time this season in the 6th and 7th innings.
After Astros pinch-hitter Chris Johnson led off the bottom of the 6th with a single to LF, Michael Bourn reached base on a bunt single to the right side of the diamond. Halladay fielded the bunt but his off-balance throw to 1st was wide and both runners were safe. Jeff Keppinger followed Bourn with another bunt and Halladay’s throw to 3rd base drew Placido Polanco off of the bag setting up a bases loaded, no out situation.
Halladay then got Cory Sullivan to hit into a double play on one of his devastating sinkers. The play allowed Johnson to score but a Carlos Lee pop up kept the Phillies in the lead at 2-1.
“The key right there was to make a good pitch down because we needed a ground ball or a strikeout,” Carlos Ruiz said. “He threw a good sinker down and away. That’s a big pitch for him.”
After back to back singles by Geoff Blum and Pedro Feliz started the 7th inning, Kazuo Matsui sacrificed the runners over to set up 2nd and 3rd with 1 out and the winning run in scoring position. Halladay got JR Towles to ground out and former Phillie Jason Michaels on strikes to end the threat and send the Phillies well on their way to a series sweep.
Roy Oswalt pitched well but it wasn't enough on Sunday afternoon
“He pitched pretty good,” Carlos Lee said. “Today he was throwing four different pitches in any count. Today I got a 3-2 split finger. The guy is tough. He won’t give in. That’s why he’s one of the Cy Young winners.”
The Phillies offense was quiet throughout the afternoon. Astros ace Roy Oswalt allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 8 batters over 6 innings of work. Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a solo home run and Carlos Ruiz added an RBI ground out in the 2nd inning to cap the Phillies offense.
With the victory the Phillies finished their 6-game road trip with a 5-1 record to start the season. It was their first sweep at Minute Maid Park since 2006 and their 5-1 record is the best start for the team since they began the 1993 season with a record of 7-1.
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