Anyone else get the distinct impression that Roy Halladay was making a point yesterday?
As everyone now knows, the Phillies ace was forced out of his first start after the All-Star game after just four innings and change. Halladay was a victim of the heat in the steambath of Wrigley Field.
Conditions were similar yesterday at Citizens Bank Park. But Halladay took the hill and showed no signs of heat problems. Instead he was bringing the heat, and after a bit of a scuffle early, settled in and torched the Padres, going eight strong innings.
Halladay threw 116 pitches, in part because of that shaky start. He struck out eight while scattering three runs on eight hits.
He collected his 12th win of the season, and put to rest anyone who was doubting his toughness after that heat-induced hiccup in the Windy City.
Halladay is the constant at the top of the Phils’ rotation. You can tell he was irked by what happened in Chicago, as well as any insinuation that it was a result of his All-Star trip.
Anyone who believed that a chink had been discovered in Halladay’s armor better not view yesterday’s effort.
Halladay was a bulldog in fighting his own stuff more than the weather early, then settling in and mowing down the Padres.
It’s a wonder he didn’t want to go back out there for the ninth, but after 116 pitches in 95-degree temperatures, even Halladay was willing to stand aside.
If the Padres – and the rest of the National League – were looking for help from Mother Nature again, they didn’t get it.
Doc is back. And he’s operating.
As everyone now knows, the Phillies ace was forced out of his first start after the All-Star game after just four innings and change. Halladay was a victim of the heat in the steambath of Wrigley Field.
Conditions were similar yesterday at Citizens Bank Park. But Halladay took the hill and showed no signs of heat problems. Instead he was bringing the heat, and after a bit of a scuffle early, settled in and torched the Padres, going eight strong innings.
Halladay threw 116 pitches, in part because of that shaky start. He struck out eight while scattering three runs on eight hits.
He collected his 12th win of the season, and put to rest anyone who was doubting his toughness after that heat-induced hiccup in the Windy City.
Halladay is the constant at the top of the Phils’ rotation. You can tell he was irked by what happened in Chicago, as well as any insinuation that it was a result of his All-Star trip.
Anyone who believed that a chink had been discovered in Halladay’s armor better not view yesterday’s effort.
Halladay was a bulldog in fighting his own stuff more than the weather early, then settling in and mowing down the Padres.
It’s a wonder he didn’t want to go back out there for the ninth, but after 116 pitches in 95-degree temperatures, even Halladay was willing to stand aside.
If the Padres – and the rest of the National League – were looking for help from Mother Nature again, they didn’t get it.
Doc is back. And he’s operating.
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