Raul To the Rescue: Ibanez and Phillies Power Past Cubs, 10-1

Just when the Roy Halladay rumors started to hit high gear in Philadelphia, the current starting pitching got hot. Last night Rodrigo Lopez went six full innings, allowed one run on five hits, and struck out five batters, as the offense put a ten spot on the scoreboard. The Phillies beat the Cubs 10-1 to extend their winning streak to nine games.

The Phillies wasted no time getting to Cubs starter Ted Lilly. In the first inning, with Jimmy Rollins at third base and Shane Victorino at second base, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard failed to bring a run home. But Raul Ibanez saved the day with his 25th home run to dead center field to give the Phillies an early 3-0 lead.

Carlos Ruiz chipped in with a deep home run to right field in the second inning to put the Phillies up 5-0. After bringing four runs across the plate in the fourth inning the Phillies had all but put the Cubs away for the night. Ryan Howard added a solo home run, his 24th of the season in the eighth inning, to get the Phillies to double digits in runs scored.

Chad Durbin pitched three innings of relief and picked up a save in the game.