2010 Topps Chrome Refractors #170 Raul Ibanez

Phillies 14, Braves 1
Game 91 - Sunday Afternoon, July 10th in Philadelphia

One Sentence Summary:  The Phils unloaded on the Braves with 20 hits and 14 runs, backing Cole Hamels on his way to his 11th win.

What It Means:  What a nice way to head into a four-day break.  The Phillies enter the symbolic second half of the season with a 57-34 record, 23 games over .500, and with a 3 1/2 game lead over the Braves.  The 57 wins ties the 1993 Phillies club for most franchise wins before the All-Star break.

What Went Right:  Micheal Martinez had a career-high four hits and he scored twice.  Jimmy Rollins, Domonic Brown and John Mayberry, Jr. each enjoyed three-hit days with Mayberry hitting three doubles and driving in four.  Raul Ibanez had two hits and six RBIs, including a 3-run home run in the eighth.

Hamels (11-4) pitched eight strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out six.  The eleven wins represent his highest career first half win total.

Featured Card:  This super-shiny card arrived recently in a package from Section 36.  We've gotten into the habit of setting aside cards for each other and every month or so, I'll ship my Sox cards up north and a nice envelope of Phillies cards arrives from Red Sox Nation.  I think it's interesting that Topps has featured Ibanez making diving catches on both his 2010 and 2011 base cards.  He's not really known for his defense, although he did make a nice leaping grab against the wall this afternoon to end the eighth inning.

Other Stuff:  Posting will slow down over the next few days as we head into the All-Star break.  I was extremely relieved when Ryan Howard wasn't chosen for this year's Home Run Derby, since now I have absolutely no reason to actually tune in to the thing.