2010 Chachi #6 Raul Ibañez

Phillies 8, Astros 0
Game 4 - Friday Night, April 9th in Houston

The Phils look good, don't they? It doesn't matter they've started the season playing two of the weakest teams in their league, right? The team knocked out another 16 hits tonight, and the pitching shut down an anemic Astros' offense to win the game, 8-0.

There was plenty to be excited about while watching this game. J.A. Happ looked good in his 5+ innings of shutout work and reliever David Herndon was touching the mid-90s on the radar gun with his fastball.

Placido Polanco continued his torrid start, going 4 for 5 and raising his average to .579. Ryan Howard added a few doubles, just for good measure. And Raul Ibañez snapped his 3-game slump, getting 3 hits (2 of them doubles) and knocking in 3 runs. Raul had looked just awful in Spring Training and during the opening series in Washington, so I'm hoping he's found his swing in Houston.

Raauuuul is card #6 in the 2010 Chachi set.

Phillies debut: April 5, 2009

Major League debut: August 1, 1996

How acquired: Signed by the Phillies as a free agent formerly with the Seattle Mariners, December 16, 2008

Others wearing #29 in the 2000s: Jimmy Rollins 2000, P.J. Forbes 2001, Marlon Byrd 2002-2005, Danny Sandoval 2005, Michael Tucker 2005, Chris Roberson 2006-2007, Roly deArmas 2008, Raul Ibañez 2009

2009 Postseason: Raul batted .417 with runners in scoring position.

Pictured: World Series Game 5, November 2, 2009 - Raul hits a solo home run in the 7th inning off the Yankees' Phil Coke.

Other Game Notes: In the 6th, current third baseman Placido Polanco committed his first error of the season, misplaying a ground ball hit by former third baseman Pedro Feliz. The ball glanced off Polanco's thumb, and he spent the rest of the game trying to shake it off. Get well soon, Placido's thumb.