Tagged: Pinch Hitter

A pair of two-run shots help the Phils end their eight-game losing streak as they defeat the World Champions Giants, 7-3.

Philadelphia_PhilliesA pair of two-run home runs, plus seven well pitched innings by starter John Lannan, put a stop to the Phils eight-game losing streak as they beat the World Champions Giants, 7-3.

The Giants took the lead in the top of the first as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Pablo Sandoval hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Andres Torres, who had started the game off with a double, then moved up to third base on Marco Scutaro’s sacrifice bunt, 1-4, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead. The Phils tied the game up at one-all in their half of the first as, with runners on second and third, and with two men out, Delmon Young came through with an RBI single, knocking in Michael Young, who had earlier singled, then went to third base on Chase Utley’s single, while sending Utley, who had earlier singled, on to third base. Two batters later, with the bases loaded, after Kevin Frandsen had been hit by a pitch, moving D. Young up to second base, and with still two men out, the Phils took a 2-1 lead as John Mayberry, Jr. forces in a run with an RBI walk, bringing in Utley, while sending D. Young on to third base, and Frandsen up to second base. The Giants tied the game up at two-all in the top of the third as, with two men on, thanks to John Lannan walking first Torres, and then Scutaro, moving Torres up to second base, and with two men out, Sandoval hits an RBI single, knocking in Torres, while sending Scutaro on to third base. The Phils retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth as, with one man on, and with nobody out, Carlos Ruiz hits a two-run home run, his first home run of the season, knocking in Mayberry, who had started the inning off with a single, giving the Phils a 4-2 lead. The Phils increased their lead in the bottom of the sixth as, with one man on, and with one man out, M. Young hits a two-run home run, his eighth home run of the year, scoring Lannan, who had started the inning off with a walk, giving the Phils a 6-2 lead. The Giants would get a run back in the top of the seventh as, with a runner on third, and with one man out, Joaquin Arias hits into an RBI ground out, 4-3, knocking in Guillermo Quiroz, who had started the inning off with a double, then went to third base on pinch-hitter Gregor Blanco’s ground out, 1-3, making it a 6-3 Phils’  lead. The Phils would get the run back in their half of the seventh as, with a man on second, and with one man out, Mayberry hits a RBI double, knocking in Michael Martinez, who was pinch-running for D. Young, who had started the inning off with a single, before he moved up to second base on Frandsen’s ground out, 6-3, giving the Phils a 7-4 lead. That would be the final score as Justin De Fratus threw a scoreless ninth.

John Lannan (3-4, 4.10) got the win as he pitched seven innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out three. Antonio Bastardo and Justin De Fratus combined for two scoreless innings, giving up two hits (one each) between them, while striking out a batter (Bastardo). Barry Zito (4-8, 5.09) took the lost as he went only three and a third innings, giving up four runs on five hits, two walks, and a hit batter, while striking out two. Guillermo Moscoso pitched two and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batter, striking out three. Jean Machi pitched two innings, giving up a run on three hits, striking out a batter.

The Phils had ten hits in the game, with Michael Young, (Single, Home Run, 2 RBIs), Chase Utley (Singles), Delmon Young (Singles, RBI) and John Mayberry, Jr. (Single, Double, 2 RBIs) all leading the team with two hits each. Jimmy Rollins (Single) and Carlos Ruiz (Home Run, 2 RBIs) had the other two Phils’ hits. The Phils also had four walks (M. Young, Utley, Mayberry, John Lannan) and two hit batters (Kevin Frandsen, Darin Ruf) in the game.

The Phils (50-56, 3rd NL East) continue their series with the Giants (46-59, 5th NL West) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and is to start at 7:05 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound Kyle Kendrick (9-7, 3.96), who is coming off a lost against the Cardinals on July 25, as he pitched six innings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out one, in the Phils’ 3-1 lost. He will be looking to bounce back, and collect his tenth win of the season. The Giants will counter with Chad Gaudin (4-2, 2.77), who is coming off a lost to the Reds on July 24, as he threw only three and two-thirds innings, getting lit up for six runs on seven hits and five walks, while striking out only one, in the Giants’ 8-3 lost. He will be looking to come back from his lost. The Phils will be looking for their second straight win, after having suffered eight losses in a roll.

The Phils take the series from the Nats, as they win, 3-1.

Philadelphia_PhilliesThe Phils give Kyle Kendrick his eighth win of the season, as they take the series from the Nationals, winning, 3-1.

The Phils break up a 0-0 tie in the bottom of the fifth as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Ben Revere hits an RBI single, knocking in Carlos Ruiz, who had earlier reached base on an infield single, then moved up to second base on Kyle Kendrick’s sacrifice bunt, 2-4, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Nats tied the game up at 1-1 in the top of the fifth as, with a runner on third, and with one man out, Ryan Zimmerman hits a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Bryce Harper, who had just tripled. The Phils retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh as, with a runner on third, and with one man out, pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen hits an RBI double, knocking in pinch-runner John McDonald, who was pinch running for Darin Ruf, who had started the inning off with a double, before moving up to third base on Ruiz’s sacrifice bunt, 2-4, giving the Phils a 2-1 lead. The Phils then added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Chase Utley, who had started the inning off with a double, then moved up to third base on Dom Brown’s fly out to right, would score on a fielder’s choice grounder hit by Michael Young, as he beat the wide throw to the plate by second baseman Anthony Rendon, giving the Phils a 3-1 lead. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon collected his twentieth save of the year by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth.

Kyle Kendrick (8-6, 3.75) got the win as he pitched seven strong innings, giving a run on five hits, a walk and two wild pitches, striking out two. Antonio Bastardo received his fourteenth hold of the season as he threw a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Jonathan Papelbon collected his twentieth save of the season as he also threw a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Jordan Zimmermann (12-4, 2.58) took the lost as he went six and a third innings, giving up two runs on eight hits, as he struck out six. Ian Krol pitched an inning, giving up a run on a hit. Drew Storen pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out both men whom he would face, striking out one.

The Phils had nine hits in the game, with Ben Revere (Singles, RBI) and Dom Brown (Single, Double) both leading the team with two hits each. Chase Utley (Double), Michael Young (Double, RBI), Darin Ruf (Double), Carlos Ruiz (Single), and pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen (Double, RBI), had the other five Phils’ hits. The Phils also had two sacrifice bunts (Kyle Kendrick, Ruiz) in the game.

The Phils (46-47, 3rd NL East) will begin a three-game series with the White Sox (36-53, 5th AL Central), their final Interleague Series, and their final series before the All-Star break. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park and is to start at 7:05 pm EDT, weather permitting. The Phils will send to the mound Jonathan Pettibone (5-3, 3.84), who is coming off a win against the Braves on July 7, as he went five and a third innings, giving up a run on five hits and a walk, while striking out six, in the Phils’ 7-3 win. He will be trying to get the Phils back at .500. The White Sox will counter with John Dinks (2-6, 4.31), who is coming off a lost to the Rays on July 7, as he went seven innings, giving up three runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out five, in the ChiSox’s 3-1 lost. He will be trying to improve his record. The Phils will be trying to get back to .500.

The Phils hold on to win the opener of their four-game series with the Nats, winning 3-2.

Philadelphia_PhilliesJohn Lannan threw eight scoreless inning against his old club, before the Phils hang on in the ninth to defeat the Nats, 3-2.

The Phils took the lead in the bottom of the first as, with two men on, and with one man out, Dom Brown hits an RBI infield single, on a ball that was deflected to first baseman Adam LaRoche by starting pitcher Dan Haren, knocking in Ben Revere, who had started the inning off with a single, moved up to second base on Jimmy Rollins’ single, then was the leader in a double steal, reaching third base, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead, while moving Rollins, who had earlier singled, then stole second base as the back end of a double steal, up to third base. The Phils then increased their lead later in the inning as, with the bases loaded, after Brown had moved up to second base on Haren’s wild pitch, and then Michael Young walked, and with two men out, Darin Ruf forced in a run with a walk, forcing in Rollins, making it a 2-0 Phils’ lead, while moving up a base both Brown and M. Young. The Phils added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as, with a man on second, and with two men out, Rollins hits an RBI single, scoring Revere, who had just doubled, giving the Phils a 3-0 lead. The Nats finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the ninth as, with two men on, and with nobody out, Jayson Werth hits a sacrifice fly to center, knocking in Bryce Harper, who had started the inning off with a single, then stopped at third base on Ryan Zimmerman’s double, making it a 3-1 Phils’ lead, while sending Zimmerman, who had just doubled, up to third base. The Nats then made it a 3-2 Phils’ lead one batter later as LaRoche hits a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Zimmerman. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon would finally record his nineteenth save of the season as he got pinch-hitter Chad Tracy to fly out to center for the game’s final out.

John Lannan (2-3, 4.23) got the win as he threw eight shut-out innings, giving up just four hits and two walks, while striking out four. Jonathan Papelbon collected his nineteenth save of the season as he went an inning, giving up two runs on two hits. Dan Haren took the lost (4-10, 6.00) as he pitched five innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, three walks, and a wild pitch, while striking out seven. Fernando Abad pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits, while striking out a batter. Ross Ohlendorf threw two scoreless innings, giving up a hit, while striking out three.

The Phils had ten hits in the game, with Ben Revere (2 Singles, Double) leading the team with three hits, followed by Jimmy Rollins (Singles, RBI) and Michael Young (Singles), with two hits each. Dom Brown (RBI), Delmon Young and Darin Ruf (RBI) had the other three Phils’ hits, all singles. The Phils also had three walks (Brown, M. Young, Ruf) and two stolen bases (Revere (21), Rollins (9)) in the ballgame.

The Phils (44-46, 3rd) continue their series with the Nats (46-43) with a game tonight, already in progress.

The Phils allow a possible win to slip away as they lose to the Dodgers, 6-4.

Philadelphia_PhilliesThe Phils’ bullpen once again comes up short as they allow a comeback to slip away, as the Phils lose to the Dodgers, 6-4.

The Dodgers took the lead in the bottom of the first as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, Matt Kemp hits an RBI double, knocking in Yasiel Puig, who had earlier reached base on a force out, 1-6-4, as Skip Schumaker, who had led the inning off with a walk, is wiped out at second base, before going to third base on Adrian Gonzalez’s single, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead, while sending Gonzalez, who had had just singled, to third base. The Dodgers increased their lead one batter later as Andre Ethier followed with a two-run double, scoring Gonzalez and Kemp, giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. The Phils got a run back in the top of the second as Dom Brown hits a lead-off home run, his team leading 21st home run of the season, tying him once again for the NL lead in home run, making it a 3-1 Dodgers’ lead. The Phils made it a 3-2 Dodgers’ lead in the top of the fifth as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, Chase Utley hits an RBI single, knocking in Jonathan Pettibone, who had earlier singled, then went to third base on Ben Revere’s infield single, as the ball is deflected to second baseman Schumaker by pitcher Zack Greinke, while sending Revere, who had just singled, over to third base. The Phils then tied the game up at three-all as Jimmy Rollins hits an RBI single, scoring Revere, and sending Utley up to second base. The Phils took the lead in the top of the seventh as, with two men out, Utley hits a solo home run, his ninth home run of the season, giving the Phils a 4-3 lead.  The Dodgers retook the lead in their half of the seventh as, with the bases loaded, via a lead-off walk by A.J. Ellis, a bunt single by Juan Uribe, which Ryan Howard is unable to play as he falls down, a sacrifice bunt by Nick Punto, 2-4, moving Ellis up to third base, and Uribe to second base, and an intentional walk to pinch-hitter Hanley Ramirez, and with two men out, Puig hits a two-run single, knocking in Ellis and Uribe, giving the Dodgers a 4-3 lead. The Dodgers increased their lead in the bottom of the eighth as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Ellis hits a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Kemp, who had started the inning off with a single, then stole first second and then third, giving the Dodgers a 6-4 lead. That would end up being the final score as Kenley Jansen collected his seventh save of the season as he pitched a scoreless ninth.

Jonathan Pettibone received a no-decision as he pitched six innings, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out four. Justin De Fratus committed his first blown save of the season, before taking the lost (2-2, 4.20), as he threw two-thirds of an inning, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out one. Antonio Bastardo pitched an inning and a third, giving up a run on a hit, while striking out a batter. Zack Greinke (5-2, 3.94) got the win as he threw seven innings, giving up four runs on twelve hits and a walk, as he struck out five. J.P. Howell collected his fifth hold of the season as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out both men whom he would face, striking out one. Ronald Belisario collected his seventh hold of the year as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up a hit, while striking out one. Kenley Jansen received his seventh save of the year as he threw a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit.

The Phils had fourteen hits in the game, with Delmon Young leading the team with four hits, all singles, followed by Ben Revere (Singles) and Chase Utley (Single, Double, Home Run, 2 RBIs), with three hits each. Jimmy Rollins (Single, RBI), Dom Brown (Home Run, RBI), Kevin Frandsen (Single) and Jonathan Pettibone (Single) had the other four Phils’ hits. The Phila also had a walk (Frandsen) in the game.

The Phils (38-42, 3rd East) continue their trip out west with the Dodgers (38, 42, 5th West) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Dodgers Stadium and will start at 10:10 pm EDT (7:10 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mound John Lannan (0-2, 5.84), who is coming off a lost against the Mets on June 23, as he went five innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks, while striking out three, in the Phils’ 8-0 lost. He will be trying to bounce back from his last start while looking for his first win. The Dodgers will counter with Chris Capuano (2-4, 4.09), who is coming off a no-decision against the Padres on June 23, as he pitched five innings, giving up just four hits, while striking out five, in the Dodgers’ 3-1 win. He will be trying for his second straight win. The Phils will be out to bounce back from last night’s lost.

The Phils rally from behind before winning in extra-innings, 7-5, taking the series from the Padres.

Philadelphia_PhilliesAfter allowing the Padres to build up a 5-2 lead, the Phils come from behind to tie the game up at 5-5, before winning it in the 13th inning, 7-5, to take the series from the Padres.

The Phils took the lead in the top of the first as, with one man on, and with one man out, Michael Young hits an RBI double, knocking in Chase Utley, who had just singled, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Phils increased their lead in the top of the second as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Carlos Ruiz hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Delmon Young, who had started the inning off with a double, then moved up to third base on John Mayberry, Jr.’s fly out to center, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. The Padres cut the Phils’ lead in the bottom of the third as, with a runner on second, and with one man out, Logan Forsythe hits an RBI double, knocking in Pedro Ciriaco, who had started the inning off with a single, then moved up to second base on Robbie Erlin’s sacrifice bunt, making it a 2-1 Phils’ lead. The Padres tied the game up at two-all one batter later as, with a man on second, and with still one man out, Chris Denorfia hits a single, which is then deflected off of right fielder D. Young, allowing Forsythe to score on the missed catch error. The Padres took the lead in the bottom of the fifth as, with a man on second, and with two men out, Denorfia hits a two-run home run, his sixth home run of the season, scoring Forsythe, who had just hit a ground-rule double, giving the Padres a 4-2 lead. The Padres then made it a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth as, with a man on second, and with nobody out, Kyle Blanks hits an RBI double, knocking in Chase Headley, who had started the inning off with a double. The Phils got a run back in the top of the seventh as, with two men on, and with two men out, pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen hits an RBI single, knocking in Dom Brown, who had started the inning off with a single, then moved up to second base on Ruiz’s single, making it a 5-3 Padres’ lead, while sending Ruiz, who had just singled, up to second base. The Phils tied the game up at five-all in the top of the eighth as, with one man on, and with two men out, D. Young hits a two-run home run, his seventh home run of the season, scoring Brown, who had just doubled. The Phils retook the lead in the top of the thirteenth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Ben Revere hits a grounder that is missed played by second baseman Forsythe, becoming a fielding error, which allows Revere to reach first base, before Forsythe threw towards home plate in an attempt to throw out Utley, who had started the inning off being hit by a pitch, before moving up to second base on Brown’s walk, as he was trying to score, after having first run past third base, but Forsythe’s throw bounce off of catcher Nick Hundley, allowing Utley to score on Forsythe’s throwing error, giving the Phils a 6-5 lead. On the same play, as the ball gets away from Hundley, Brown, who had just walked, and had gone to first second base and then to third base on the play, also headed for home, soon crossing the plate ahead of pitcher Tommy Layne’s attempt to tag him out, giving the Phils a 7-5 lead. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon collected his fifteenth save of the year by pitching a scoreless bottom of the thirteenth.

Cole Hamels received a no-decision as he went six innings, giving up five runs, four of which were earned, on seven hits and two walks, while striking out five. J.C. Ramirez, Phillippe Aumont and Jake Diekman combined for five scoreless innings, giving up a hit (Diekman) and two walks (Aumont) between them, while striking out two (Ramirez (1), Aumont (1)). Joe Savery (1-0, 2.25) got the win as he threw a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Jonathan Papelbon received his fifteenth save of the season as he threw a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. Robbie Erlin also received a no-decision as he went six and a third innings, giving up three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits and a walk, while striking out seven. Nick Vincent collected his first hold of the season as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up two hits and a walk, while striking out a batter. Joe Thatcher collected his ninth hold of the year as he pitched an inning, giving up a run on a hit, while striking out a batter. Luke Gregerson committed his fourth blown save of the season as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up a run on a hit. Dale Thayer, Tim Stauffer and Huston Street combined for five scoreless innings, giving up a hit (Street) between them, while striking out two (Thayer (1), Stauffer (1)). Tommy Layne (0-2, 2.45) took the lost as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up two unearned runs on a hit batter and a walk. Tyson Ross pitched a third of an inning, giving up a hit.

The Phils had ten hits in the game, with Dom Brown (Single, Double), Delmon Young (Double, Home Run, 2 RBIs) and Carlos Ruiz (Singles, RBI), all leading the team with two hits each. Chase Utley (Single), Michael Young (Double, RBI), John Mayberry, Jr. (Single) and pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen (Single, RBI), had the other four Phils’ hit. The last two Phils’ run came in on a couple of errors. The Phils also had three walks (Jimmy Rollins, Brown, Ruiz), a sacrifice fly (Ruiz), a sacrifice bunt (Cole Hamels) and a hit batter (Utley)) in the ballgame.

The Phils (38-41, 3rd East) start a four-games series with the Dodgers (35-42, 5th West) starting with a night game tonight. The game is to be played at Dodgers Stadium and is to start at 10:10 pm EDT (7:10 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mound Jonathan Pettibone (3-3, 4.14), who is coming off a no-decision against the Mets on June 22, as he went six innings, giving up a run on five hits and a walk, while striking out one, in the Phils’ 8-7 walk-off win. Pettibone will once again be looking for his fourth win of the season, hoping that the Phils’ bullpen will not allow this one to get out of hand. The Dodgers will counter with Zack Greinke (4-2. 3.79), who is coming off a win against the Padres on June 22, as he went eight innings, giving up a run on four hits and a walk, while striking out eight, in the Dodgers’ 6-1 win. He’ll be out to beat the Phils. The Phils will be out to continue their present winning streak on the west coast.

The Phils take the series from the Nats as they defeat Washington, 4-2.

Philadelphia_PhilliesThe Phils gain a tie for second place in the NL East with Washington, as they defeat the Nats, 4-2.

The Nats took the lead in the top of the fourth as, with two men out, Jayson Werth hits a solo home run, his seventh home run of the year, giving the Nats a 1-0 lead. The Phils tied it up at one-all in their half of the fourth as, with a runner on third, and with one man out, Ryan Howard hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Michael Young, who had started the inning of with a double, then went to third on Jimmy Rollins’ sacrifice bunt, 1-3. The Phils tried to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Cliff Lee tried to help his on cause with a single to center, as Delmon Young, who had started the inning off by being hit by a pitch, then moved up to second base on Kevin Frandsen’s ground out, 5-3, tried to score. but is gunned down at the plate by a strong throw home by center fielder Denard Span, 8-2, with catcher Kurt Suzuki applying the tag before D. Young could cross the plate, for the inning’s final out. The Phils took the lead in the bottom of the sixth as, with one man on, and with nobody out, M. Young hits an RBI double, knocking in Ben Revere, who had started the inning off with a single, giving the Phils a 2-1 lead. Five batters later, the Phils made it a 4-1 lead as, with the bases loaded, via a single by Rollins, sending M. Young to third base, and Howard being hit by a pitch, sending Rollins up to second base, and with two men out, Frandsen hits a two-run single, knocking in M. Young and Rollins, while sending Howard up to second base. The Nats got a run back in the top of the eighth as, with one man out, pinch-hitter Jeff Kobernus hits a solo home run, his first home run of the year, making it a 4-2 Phils’ lead. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon collected his fourteenth save of the season as he threw a scoreless ninth.

Cliff Lee (9-2, 2.53) got the win as he pitched eight strong innings, giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out nine. Jonathan Papelbon received his fourteenth save of the year as he pitched a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit. Ross Detwiler (2-5, 3.34) took the lost as he went six innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and two hit batters, while striking out four. Craig Stammen and Drew Storen combined for two scoreless innings, giving up two hits (one hit each) between them, while striking out three (Stammen (2), Storen (1)).

The Phils had nine hits in the game, with Michael Young (RBI) leading the team with three hits, all doubles. Ben Revere (Single), Jimmy Rollins (Single), Ryan Howard (Triple, RBI), Kevin Frandsen (Single, 2 RBIs), Carlos Ruiz (Single) and Cliff Lee (Single), had the other six Phils’ hits. The Phils also had two hit batters (Delmon Young, Howard) in the game.

The Phils (34-37, T-2nd) will conclude their series with the Nats (34-35, T-2nd) with a ballgame tonight, looking for the sweep.

The Phils end their five-game losing streak as they come from behind to defeat the Twins, 3-2.

Philadelphia_PhilliesThe Phils avoid a sweep, as they end their five-game losing streak by hanging on to defeat the Twins, 3-2.

The Phils took the lead in the top of the first as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, Ryan Howard comes through with an RBI single, scoring Ben Revere, who had started the game off with a single, stole second base, then stopped at third on pitcher Kevin Correia’s fielding error of Jimmy Rollins’ grounder to the mound, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead, while Rollins, who was safe at first on Correia’s error, would stop at second base. The Phils tried to add to their lead in the top of the sixth as, with two men on, on back to back singles by Michael Young and Rollins, with M. Young stopping at second base, and with two men out, Young tried to score on Howard’s single to right, but he is instead thrown out at home plate by right fielder Ryan Doumit, as catcher Joe Mauer is able to tag him out before he can touch home plate. The Twins took the lead in the bottom of the seventh as, with two men on, and with two men out, Justin Morneau hits a two-run double, knocking in Mauer, who had earlier walked, then reached second base on Doumit’s single, and Doumit, who had just singled, giving the Twins a 2-1 lead. The Phils tied the game up at two-all in the top of the eighth as, with runners on the corners, and with nobody out, M. Young hits an RBI single, scoring pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen, who had started the inning off with a double, then reached third base on Revere’s bunt single, while sending Revere, who had reached base on a bunt single, over to third base. The Phils then retook the lead as, once again with men on the corners, and with still nobody out, Rollins hits a fielder’s choice ground ball up the first base line, as Revere beats the throw to the plate, giving the Phils a 3-2 lead, while M. Young moved up to second base, and Rollins was safe at first on the play. That would be the final score as Jonathan Papelbon came in and recorded his twelfth save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Cliff Lee (8-2, 2.55) got the win as he went seven innings, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out six. Mike Adams collected his sixth hold of the season as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Jonathan Papelbon received his twelfth save of the year as he also threw a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two. Kevin Correia received a no-decision as he went five innings, giving up a run on eight scattered hits and a walk, while he struck out six. Anthony Swarzak pitched two scoreless innings, giving up four hits, as he struck out a batter. Jared Burton received his third blown save of the season, before taking the lost (0-4, 3.68) as he pitched an inning, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out a batter. Josh Roenicke and Caleb Thielbar combined for a scoreless inning, giving up a hit (Roenicke), while striking out two (one batter each) between them.

The Phils combined for sixteen hits, with Ben Revere (3 Singles, Triple) leading the team with four hits, followed by Ryan Howard (Singles, RBI) with three hits and Michael Young (Singles, RBI) and Laynce Nix (Singles) with two hits each. Jimmy Rollins (Single, RBI), Dom Brown (Single), Delmon Young (Single), Freddy Galvis (Single) and pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen (Double), had the other five Phils’ hits. The Phils also had a stolen base (Revere (15) and two walks (Brown) in the game. 

The Phils (32-35, 3rd East) will begin a three-game series with the Rockies (35-32, 3rd West). starting with a ballgame tonight. The game will be played at Coors Field and is to start at 8:40 pm EDT (6:40 MDT). The Phils will send to the mound Kyle Kendrick (6-4, 3.22), who is coming off a lost to the Brewers on June 8, as he went six innings, giving up three runs on eight hits and a walk, as he struck out six, in the Phils’ 4-3 lost. He will be out to continue the Phils present winning streak. The Rockies will counter with Juan Nicasio (4-2, 4.61), who is coming off a no-decision against the Padres on June 9, as he also went six innings, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk, while striking out seven, in the Rockies’ 8-7 extra-innings walk-off win. He will be trying to slow down the Phils. The Phils will be out to score some runs out in Denver.

Back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the ninth leads to a dramatic come from behind win, as the Phils defeat the Reds, 3-2.

Philadelphia_PhilliesA pair of unexpected back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the ninth leads to the Phils coming from behind to defeat the Reds, 3-2.

The Reds took the lead in the top of the second as Jay Bruce hits a lead-off home run, his fifth home run of the season, giving the Reds a 1-0 lead. The Reds added to their lead in the top of the sixth as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Todd Frazier hits an RBI double, knocking in Joey Votto, who had started the inning off with a single, then reached second base after Dom Brown, who had made a sliding catch of Bruce’s fly ball to left field for the inning’s second out, attempted to double him off first base to end the inning, but instead committed a throwing error as the ball hit Votto and then rolled away from first baseman Michael Young, giving the Reds a 2-0 lead. Meantime, the Phils were frustrated for seven innings by Reds’ starter Homer Bailey, who only gave up five hits and a walk, while striking out three, as the Phils’ scoreless streak, which had started the previous night, increased to sixteen innings. The Phils would finally score in the bottom of the eighth as, with two men on, and with two men out, Chase Utley hits an RBI single to left, scoring Ben Revere, who had earlier got on base with an infield single, sliding head first across the first base bag beating pitcher Jonathan Broxton to the bag, then stole second base, making it a 2-1 Reds’ lead, while sending M. Young, who had just walked, up to second base. Then in bottom of the ninth, the Phils started a rally as pinch-hitter Delmon Young started the inning off with a walk, before he was replaced at first base by pinch-runner Cliff Lee. But, it would look like the Phils’ rally would be killed by another base running blunder, as Lee would be caught leaning too much off of first base by Reds’ reliever Aroldis Chapman, and then caught in a rundown before he is finally tagged out, 1-4-6-1, for the inning’s first out. After an upset at himself Lee goes back into the dugout and sits down, the batter, Erik Kratz, who was in the game because the original starting catcher, Carlos Ruiz, had been hurt while running the bases earlier in the game, crushed a three-two fastball into left field for a home run, his third home run of the season, tying the game up at two-all, making Lee even more upset as that would have led to a walk-off win. But, Lee would then be taken fully off the hook as the next batter, Freddy Galvis, followed with a solo home run of his own to left, his third home run of the season, giving the Phils a 3-2 walk-off win.

Jonathan Pettibone received a no-decision as he pitched seven innings, giving up two runs, only one of which was earned, on seven hits and three hits, while striking out four. Justin De Fratus pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit. Antonio Bastardo (2-1, 2.51) got the win as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. Homer Bailey also received a no-decision as he pitched seven shutout innings, giving up five scattered hits and a walk, while he struck out three. Jonathan Broxton collected his sixth hold of the season as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up a run on a hit and a walk. Sean Marshall collected his sixth hold of the year as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up a hit. Aroldis Chapman blew his second save attempt of the year before taking the lost (3-2, 3.32) as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk.

The Phils had nine hits in the game, with Ben Revere (2 Singles, Double) leading the team with three hits, followed by Chase Utley (Singles, RBI) and Freddy Galvis (Single, Home Run, RBI) following with two hits apiece. Lanyce Nix (Single) and Eric Kratz (Home Run, RBI) had the other two Phils’ hits. The Phils also had three walks (Michael Young, Utley, pinch-hitter Delmon Young) in the game.

The Phils (21-23, 3rd) begin a three-game series with the Marlins (12-32, 5th), starting with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Marlins Park and is supposed to start at 7:10 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound Cole Hamels (1-6, 4.61), who is coming off a lose to the Indians on May 15, as he went five innings, giving up five runs on six hits and two walks, while he struck out four, in the Phils’ 10-4 lost. He will once again be looking for his second win of the season, while trying to regain command of his pitches, while hoping that the bats will give him some badly needed runs support. The Marlins will counter with Alex Sanabia (2-6, 5.00), who is coming off a loss against the Reds on May 15, as he pitched six innings, giving up four runs on nine hits and three walks, while striking out three, in the Marlins’ 4-0 lost. He’ll be looking to for his third win of the season. The Phils hope to once again take advantage of the weak Marlins, while trying to get themselves over .500.

The Phils hold on to win one for Cliff Lee as they defeat the D-backs, 3-1.

Philadelphia_PhilliesThe Phils reward a good start by Cliff Lee with a win as they defeat the D-backs, 3-1.

The Phils end a 0-0 tie in the top of the fifth as, with a runner on third, and with one man out, Jimmy Rollins hits a sacrifice fly to center, knocking in Ben Revere, who had started the inning off with a walk, moved up to second base on Cliff Lee’s sacrifice bunt, 1-3, then went to third on Trevor Cahill’s wild pitch, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Phils increased their lead in the top of the seventh as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Rollins hits an RBI single, scoring Revere, who had started the inning off with a single, then stole second base, before going on to third on Lee’s sacrifice bunt, 3-4, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. The Phils added an insurance run in the eighth as, with two men on, and with one man out, Dom Brown hits an RBI single, knocking in Michael Young, who had started the inning off with a walk, then moved up to second base on Delmon Young’s walk, giving the Phils a 3-0 lead, while sending D. Young, who had earlier walked, up to third base. The D-backs got on the scoreboard in their half of the eighth as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Cody Ross hits a sacrifice fly, scoring A.J. Pollock, who had started the inning off with a walk, then moved up to third base on Paul Goldschmidt’s single, making it a 3-1 Phils’ lead. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon recorded his sixth save, as he performed a five-out save, striking out both pinch-hitter Erik Hinske and Pollock, after the D-backs had gotten the winning and tying runs in scoring position.

Cliff Lee (4-2, 2.86) got the win as he pitch seven shutout innings, giving up six hits and two walks, while striking out three. Antonio Bastardo recorded his fifth hold of the season as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up a run on a hit and a walk. Jonathan Papelbon recorded his sixth hold of the year as he pitched one and two-thirds innings, giving up two hits, while striking out three. Trevor Cahill (2-4, 2.70) took the lost as he went five innings, giving up  a run on three hits, four walks and a wild pitch, while striking out five. Josh Collmenter pitched two innings, giving up a run on two hits. Tony Sipp pitched a third of an inning, giving up a run on a hit and two walks. Will Harris, Matt Reynolds and Brad Ziegler combined for one and two-thirds scoreless innings, giving up three hits (Harris (1), Reynolds (2)) between them, while striking out four (Harris (1), Reynolds (2), Ziegler (1)).

The Phils had nine hits in the game, with Jimmy Rollins (Singles, 2 RBIs) and Ben Revere (Singles) leading the team with two hits apiece. Chase Utley (Single), Michael Young (Single), Delmon Young (Double), Dom Brown (Single, RBI) and Carlos Ruiz (Single) had the other five Phils’ hits. The Phils also have six walks (Rollins, Utley, M. Young (1), D. Young (2),  Revere (1)) and two stolen bases (Rollins (4), Revere (7)) in the game.

The Phils (17-21, 3rd NL East) will conclude their series with the D-backs (21-16, 2nd NL West) with an afternoon game, already in progress.

The Phils are once again unable to give Cole Hamels runs support as they lose to the D-backs, 2-1.

Philadelphia_PhilliesYet another good pitching effort by Cole Hamels is wasted by an offense that refuses to score runs for him, as they are handled by the D-backs, 2-1.

The D-backs took the lead in the bottom of the fifth as, with runners on second and third, and with one man out, Patrick Corbin helps his own case by hitting an RBI ground out, 6-3, knocking in Martin Prado, who had started the inning off with a single, moved to second base on Gerardo Parra’s single, then moved up to third on Cliff Pennington’s ground out, 1-3, giving the D-backs a 1-0 lead, while sending Parra, who had earlier singled, then moved up to second base on Pennington’s ground out, on to third base. The D-backs then took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, Parra hits a bunt ground out, 3-4, scoring Cody Ross, who had started the inning off with a double, then moved up to third base on Prado’s force out, 6-4, wiping out at second base Miguel Montero, who had just walked, for the inning’s first one, as Prado was safe at first, while moving Prado up to second base. The Phils got a run back in the top of the seventh as, with the bases loaded, via a single by Delmon Young, who is then forced out on a ground ball by Dom Brown, 3-6, a single by Carlos Ruiz, moving Brown up to second base, and a bloop single by John Mayberry, Jr., moving up a base both Brown and Ruiz, and with one man out, pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen hits into force out, 9-6, as Mayberry committed a base runner blunder by not moving fast enough to reach second base, thus denying Frandsen of a single, as Brown scores, making it a 2-1 D-backs’ lead, while Ruiz would move up to third base, and Frandsen would be safe at first. That would end up being the final score as Heath Bell collected his fourth save of the year by pitching a scoreless ninth.

Cole Hamels (1-5, 4.18) received the lost as he threw another quality start as he pitched six innings, giving up two runs on six hits and five walks, while striking out three. Phillippe Aumont and Jeremy Horst combined for two scoreless innings, giving up a hit (Aumont) and three walks (Aumont (1), Horst (2)) between them, while striking out one (Horst). Patrick Corbin (5-0, 1.75) got the win as he went six and a third innings, giving up a run on four hits, two walks and a wild pitch, while striking out four. Matt Reynolds collected his third hold of the year as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up a hit. David Hernandez received his sixth hold of the year as he threw a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Heath Bell collected his fourth save of the season as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit.

The Phils had six hits in the game, with Delmon Young (Singles) and Dom Brown (Single, Double) both leading the team with two hits each. Carlos Ruiz and John Mayberry, Jr. had the other two Phils’ hits, both singles. The only Phil run came in on pinch-hitter Kevin Frandsen’s force out, thanks to Mayberry’s base running blunder. The Phils also had two walks (Chase Utley, Young) in the game.

The Phils (16-20, 3rd East) continue their series with the D-backs (20-15, 3rd West) with a night game tonight. The game will begin at 9:40 EDT (6:40 PDT) and will be played at Chase Field. The Phils will send to the mound Tyler Cloyd (0-0, -.-) who will be pitching in place of Roy Halladay, who was earlier this week placed on the DL with an elbow injury. Cloyd will be out to make to keep the Phils in the game. The D-backs will counter with Ian Kennedy (1-3, 5.19) who is coming off a loss against the Padres on May 5, as he threw five and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out five, in the D-backs’ 5-1 lost. He’s hoping to bounce back from that lost. The Phils will be out to even the series while hoping to find their bats in the Arizona heat.