Phillies-Astros: Roy Halladay Completes Sweep of Houston with Dominating Play

In the final game of the Phillies-Astros series, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay, who pitched a complete game on Sunday, seemed to be in midseason form.

Offensive help came from Jimmy Rollins, thanks to his solo home run to start the game off, and Carlos Ruiz’s second-inning sacrifice ground ball that sent Raul Ibanez home for the Phillies’ second and last run of the game.

In his second start with the Phillies, Halladay has won both games, posted an outstanding ERA of 0.56, has only allowed 13 hits, two runs, and has struck out 17 batters. He was a major catalyst in the Phillies’ red-hot 5-1 start to the 2010 season.

Sunday’s victory over the Astros also notched the 150th win and 50th complete game of his career.

Halladay effortlessly sailed through the first five innings Sunday afternoon, but did struggle from time to time in the sixth and seventh innings.

Manager Charlie Manuel didn’t seem to be concerned though and for good reason—it appears as if it may have just been a “hump.”

When Manuel was asked why he didn’t pull Halladay from the game during his struggles in those innings, he had a very short answer. “He was there, he kind of smelled it,” he said, referring to Halladay’s 150th win.

Not only is he tearing up the mound on defense, but he is contributing on offense too.

In back to back games, Halladay has had at least one hit.

So far, the decision to trade former Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee and acquire Roy Halladay is paying off beautifully. Can Halladay and the fightin’ Phils’ keep it up and transfer this dominating series into the next?

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