While the return of Mike Trout to the Philadelphia area may have overshadowed everything leading into this game, the Phillies (17-20) did have an actual game to play. After taking two out of three from the Mets in New York, the Phillies were back at home to welcome Trout, Pujols, fan-favorite Raul Ibanez and the Angels (20-18) to Citizens Bank Park. Despite a tremendous outing by Cliff Lee, defensive lapses ended up dooming the Phils as they dropped tonight's game, 4-3. Here's the recap…
The Game: It was a pitchers duel until the fourth inning, when Ben Revere broke up the early perfect game for Angels starter Matt Shoemaker. After Jimmy Rollins struck out, Chase Utley ripped a triple down the right field line, scoring Revere from first to make it 1-0 Phillies. Utley's triple was reviewed after a close tag, but the call stood, giving Chase his 45th career triple. The infield was in for Ryan Howard's at-bat, but the Phillies slugger snuck a single through the hole into left field to score Utley, making it 2-0 Phillies.
Thanks to a pair of errors by Cody Asche, the Angels would pull ahead in the sixth. Collin Cowgill led off the inning with a double. Cliff Lee rebounded in the next at-bat by getting Mike Trout to strike out swinging. Albert Pujols hit what looked like a routine grounder to third, but Cody Asche misplayed it, allowing him to reach and move Cowgill to third. After a walk to Howie Kendrick, Chris Ianetta hit a high bouncer to third and Cody Asche's throw home was off-line, allowing Cowgill to score and make it 2-1. Grant Green hit a sacrifice fly to score Pujols in the next at-bat to tie things at two. With two outs and two on, Lee served up a double down the right field line to Luiz Jimenez. Dom Brown didn't field the ball very cleanly and two more runs scored, giving the Angels a 4-2 lead. All four runs were unearned for Lee.
The Phillies had runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the inning, but Marlon Byrd lined out hard into a double play at third as Angels third baseman Luis Jimenez made the catch and tagged Utley, who was running on contact.
The Phillies made things closer in the seventh. Dom Brown led off the inning with a triple to right center. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Carlos Ruiz in the next at-bat, cutting the lead to one at 4-3.
Unfortunately, that was as close as it would get as the Angels took tonight's contest, 4-3.
The win went to Matt Shoemaker (1-1, 3.86). Cliff Lee (3-4, 3.23) took the loss. Ernesto Frieri tallied his fifth save of the season.
Notable Offensive Statistics:
Chase Utley: 1-3, 3B, RBI, R
Ryan Howard: 1-3, RBI, BB
Domonic Brown: 1-3, 3B, R
Impact: Cody Asche made three errors in the span of eight batters. All of them, with the exception of the high bouncer, were rountine ground balls that should have been played without error. His throw home on the high bouncer looked rushed as it hit the grass and was off-line. Cody will have to forget this one quick, because there aren't any third base options much better with Cesar Hernandez committing eight errors at the hot corner in Double-A over 18 games. Meanwhile, Ben Revere made a spectacular diving play in center field to rob Chris Ianetta of a hit in the fourth. Cliff Lee had a great start, scattering six hits over seven inning, striking out seven while walking one. All four runs on his line were unearned. Mike Adams and Jake Diekman both threw scoreless innings.
Up Next: The Phillies conclude their short two-game set with the Angels tomorrow at 1:05PM. AJ Burnett (2-2, 2.90) will start the matinee for the Phillies while the Angels will send Garrett Richards (3-0, 2.80) to the mound.
Brandon Apter is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ApterShock
