…and it was a big fat LOSS.
After Eaton struggled to get through the first inning (he gave up a double, 2 singles and a run), he pitched well in the 2nd and third and had a 2-1 lead going into the 4th inning. Then Eaton became Eaton. He gave up 5 runs in the 4th inning. It started with a walk then a double, followed by another walk. After a visit to the mound, he got the next batter to fly out to center. With the bases still loaded, Eaton walked Randy Johnson (yes, as in the Dbacks pitcher) to get one run in. The next batter grounded out, then Stephen Drew hit a three run homerun to break the inning wide open. Eaton finished the inning with Eric Byrnes flying out next, but did not make it any further in the game.
Eaton has looked great in some games so far only to blow up in an inning and not be able to make it out of the game. I remember a game earlier this year when I actually made comment of how well he had pitched through 3 innings only to see him record maybe 1 out in the 4th before he was pulled.
Eric Bruntlett was the man of the day going 2-5 with 3 RBIs. Jayson Werth 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
The bullpen was once again solid as Rudy Seanez, Tom Gordon, and Chad Durbin combinded to throw 4 shutout innings for the rest of the game.
The Phillies and Diamondbacks play again tonight at 9:40. Kyle Kendrick (2-2, 5.01) pitches against Micah Owings (4-1, 4.42). Owings is pitching almost as well as he is hitting this season. He is 9-21 this season with a double and a pinch hit homerun.
In case you’re looking to see a great pitching matchup tonight, you should watch the Indians take on the Yankees. Both Cliff Lee and Chien-Ming Wang are a combined 10-0 this season. They are the leaders in the AL for the Cy Young race this far into the season.
