Chase Utley hit another homerun in last night’s 9-5 win over Colorado extending his streak of games with a homerun to 5. He has hit 6 in that span.
Utley’s homer was the second of back to back knocks by the Phillies in the 6th inning. Jayson Werth hit the first one, although it wasn’t how you would think a homerun was hit. He hit an inside the park homerun. Werth hit the ball to the base of the wall in right-center field. The centerfielder couldn’t get to the ball and it bounced off the wall and shot back towards center. By the time the centerfielder got to the ball, Werth had used his long strides to make it almost to third where he was waved home. He dove for the plate head first making it easily.
Pat Burrell also went deep in the game when he drove a 3-1 pitch to the seats in left field.
The Phillies were down 4-5 going into the 8th inning, but were able to score 2 runs on a bases loaded double by Carlos Ruiz. The Phillies then added three more runs in the ninth with both Werth and Burrell hitting RBI doubles. Rudy Seanez was credited with the W after pitching a scoreless 7th inning. Tom Gordon got the Hold in the 8th, and Brad Lidge was able to close the game out, although it was not a save opportunity. The bullpen did not allow any runs in their 4 innings of work (Condrey came in to pitch the 6th).
Kyle Kendrick went 5+ innings, and gave up 5 runs on 2 homeruns. He seemed to get into jams in every inning, but was only hurt on those two shots. Luckily for him, his offense battled back and he received a No Decision.
Once again the Phillies owned the #1 play on Sportscenter’s top 10 this morning. This time it was a fantastic diving stop by Chase Utley who then flipped the ball with his glove to Eric Bruntlett for the double play.
The Phillies once again try to get above .500 on the season tonight as they take on the Rockies at 8:35. Brett Myers (2-1, 3.96) takes on Jeff Francis (0-2, 5.89). Look for Pedro Feliz to go deep in this game, and maybe Burrell again. Howard will get a couple strikeouts (what else is new) with a lefty on the mound. He will receive a steady diet of breaking balls away until he can figure out to step into them and take them to left field.
