2011 Topps Allen & Ginter Hometown Heroes #HH32 Roy Halladay

Phillies 5, Padres 3
Game 100 - Sunday Afternoon, July 24th in Philadelphia

One Sentence Summary: The Phils made their early runs stand up as they beat the heat and the Padres behind Roy Halladay, 5-3.

What It Means:  After 100 games, the Phils have a record of 64-36.  If the Reds can hang on to beat the Braves tonight, the team will have a six game lead in the East.

What Went Right:  Halladay (12-4) battled through the first five innings, before settling in and making quick work of the Padres in his final three innings.  The key out came in the fifth when he struck out Kyle Phillips looking to end a second and third threat.  Halladay finished with eight innings pitched, eight hits, three runs (two earned) and eight strikeouts to just one walk.  Antonio Bastardo assumed the closer's role this afternoon, recording his eighth save.

Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz both drove in two runs a piece.  Ibanez would have had a few more RBIs, but center fielder Chris Denorfia leaped over the center field wall to rob him of a home run in the seventh.

Featured Card:  Each year, I've enjoyed following along with the Gint-A-Cuffs tournament held across the baseball card blogoverse.  I know readers may be suffering from Ginter fatigue, but I haven't had my fill yet.  I may just have to join in the fun next year.

Halladay has a few cards from this year's release, and this is probably my favorite of the cards in my collection so far.  Halladay's base card features a horizontal photo, and I'm with the other collectors who don't care for these horizontal cards.  The portrait shot on this Hometown Heroes insert set is much better, and I would have preferred if Topps had used this picture for Halladay's base card.

Congratulations:  Former Phillies General Manager Pat Gillick was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this afternoon.  Congrats to Mr. Gillick on the well-deserved honor!