The Phils stay in first place as they win in the ninth inning on second baseman’s fielding error.
The Phils have avoided going into their third straight extra-innings game as they defeated the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the ninth with two out on second baseman Eugenio Velez’s throwing error, 6-5. The Phils would score the game’s first runs in the bottom of the third inning on a two-run double by Pat Burrell, off of Giants’ starter Tim Lincecum, scoring Shane Victorino, who has earlier reached base on a Emmanuel Burriss error, and Eric Bruntlett, who has singled. The Giants would tie it up in the fourth off of Phils’ starter Cole Hamels, on a RBI single by Jose Castillo, which scored Burriss, who has earlier singled, and then a RBI double by Rich Aurilia, scoring Burriss. The Fightin’s would retake the lead in the bottom of the fifth off of Lincecum. The first one would come off of a wild pitch by Lincecum, which scores Victorino, who has earlier singled. The Phils second run of the inning would come on a Geoff Jenkins sacrifice fly, scoring Bruntlett, who has reached base on a Castillo throwing error when he tried to force out Victorino at second base earlier in the inning. The Giants would respond by scoring two more runs of their own off of Hamels as Aurilia hits a two-run home run, his third of the season, with Aaron Rowand aboard, who has earlier singled. Both teams starters would then be taken out of the ballgame for pitch hitters, with both getting a no-decision. Hamels would give up four earned runs on seven hits while striking out five, while Giants’ starter Lincecum would also give up four runs, none earned, on six hits while also striking out five. The Phils now find themselves involved in their four straight game which would be decided by each sides’ bullpens. The Phils would first send out Chad Durbin for two innings. After having an easy seventh inning, Durbin would give up a run in the eighth. After getting two out, he would give up a single to Rowand, and then a RBI triple to Castillo, which scores Rowand, before he finally ends the inning with a fly out, after intentionally walking a batter. The Giants would counter with Jack Taschner for one-third of an inning, and then Vinnie Chulk for one and two-third innings, with Chulk giving up a solo home run to Carlos Ruiz, his first home run of the year, which would tie the game once again, this time at 5-5. The Phils would then send their closer Brad Lidge to pitch the ninth. Lidge would have an easy 1-2-3 inning. The Giants would send in Keiichi Yabu to pitch their half of the ninth. After getting the first two Phillies’ batters out, he would walk first Ryan Howard and then Burrell. He would then get Jenkins to hit a grounder to Velez, but Velez would misplay the ball, letting it go under his glove, thus allowing Howard to score the winning run, giving the Phillies a 6-5 win.
The Phils’ (18-14) winning pitcher is Lidge, who went one inning, giving up no hits and no run. His record is now 1-0, with his ERA still at 0.00. The Giants’ (14-18) losing pitcher is Yabu, who pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up an unearned run on no hits, as his record falls to 2-2, with his ERA still at 2.95.
The victory was Charlie Manuel’s 500th as a Manager.
The Phils finished the homestand winning both series, with a combined record of 4-2. They are still leading the National League East by .5 games over the Marlins, who have earlier won their game, and at the moment by a full game over the Mets, who are presently winning their game.
The Phillies next game is on the road, where they will play the National League Western Division leading Arizona Diamondbacks (21-9) who presently have the best record in baseball. Their next game will be played tomorrow at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona at 9:40 pm Eastern. The Phils’ starter will be Jamie Moyer (1-2, 4.50) who is still looking for his second win of the year. He will be facing Max Scherzer (0-0, 0.00) who is pitching in his second major league game and will be making his first career start.
Phillies Red Pinstripes 
Not a pretty win but I’ll take it. I really hope they can take two out of three in Arizona.
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I think you mean three out of four. According to their schedule, they’re in Phoenix for four games. But you’re right. the win might’ve been ugly, but its still a win.