I was at the game which kind of sucked and then didn't and then did. But they were playing with house money tonight after three straight wins. Thomson did a heck of a job managing the bullpen once he lost Walker. Had Hoffman been his normal self that might have been it. Wasn't Jose's night but wasn't Garrett's or Diaz's (again!) either. Or Dieckman's really but he did what he had to do.
I think it's hard to argue with Thomson wanting to have Clemens hit against the RHP. He faced four lefties in a row and the last two got to him. Sosa is having a nice SSS year at the plate but he's still not a good hitter against RHP especially. It's unfortunate Stott made the error. It's even more unfortunate Jose wasn't sharp (and perhaps, not ready to pitch. I really thought he was going get the 10th; he probably though the Phillies were going to win it and he'd have the night off).
MIght be looking at a .500 stretch over the next six games with the surprising Nats and Texas coming to town but I don't really see any cracks in this team. Walker might be a bigger injury worry than Schwarber or Realmuto now (be careful what you wish for).
