Phillies destroy Buccos

Pittsburgh couldn't find any offense until Roy Halladay left the game, which I didn't understand the decision, and Philadelphia cruised to a 10-3 victory Friday night in at Citizens Bank Park in Philly.
Charlie "Good Stuff" Morton (8-6) gave up eight runs in the first two inning, and that was more than enough offense for "Doc."
Manager Clint Hurdle had to keep Morton in the game since the Pirates' bullpen needed rest. Morton allowed eight run on nine hits. He hard four strikeouts and walks. Morton's ERA is 4.04, and it appears that "Good Stuff" is losing some of it.
Halladay (13-4) pitched seven innings, allowed no runs on one hit while striking out five. He didn't allow a walk in lowering his ERA to 2.44.
I really don't know why Charlie Manuel took him out, but maybe he wanted the bullpen to get some work. Halladay was also approaching 100 pitches. I didn't think that mattered to him, although it was a hot, sticky night and Halladay had struggled with heat exhaustion in an earlier game this year.
Pittsburgh (54-50) picked up three runs in the eighth inning off Drew Carpenter when Pedro Ciriaco doubled in Michael McKenry and Lyle Overbay. Ciriaco scored the Pirates' third run on Xavier Paul RBI single.
The Phillies improved to 66-39, and have won the previous seven series against the Bucs at Citizens Bank Park.
James McDonald takes the mound tonight for Pittsburgh against Cliff Lee. It won't be any easier.
If Pittsburgh can avoid a sweep in this series I would say that's a sucessful series. Philadelphia is a tough team and even tougher at home.
If that happens, the Bucs would still be four games over .500. They are currently 2 1/2 games back on Milwaukee and 1 game back of St. Louis. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego are on the horizon, too. A six-game winning streak against those two clubs in not undeard of. That could pull the Pirates in position.
The Brewers and Cardinals play each other for three before Milwaukee is back in Houston for three. St. Louis plays four at Florida after taking on the Brewers.
Pittsburgh isn't out of the race by any stretch, although they need to put together a streak. I know the team isn't built for that, but Chicago and San Diego are two teams that they can beat.