Last night's wacky 9-7 win must have exhausted the Phillies, as well the Marlins. On a travel day, this evening's game got underway at 4:05, so the two teams had to battle some nasty shadows. Unfortunately for the Fish, they also had to battle Cliff Lee.
Let's skip ahead to the sixth inning with the score still at 0-0. Josh Johnson had not given up a hit through the first five, and Cliff Lee had been absolutely stunning, as always. Cliff landed in a pickle when Carlos Lee singled, bringing home Donovan Solano. John Mayberry's throw home was a bit off-line, so Solano scored easily. 1-0 Marlins.
But, the Phillies wouldn't go down without a bit of a fight. In the bottom of the inning, Jimmy Rollins singled through the hole into right for the first hit of the afternoon against Johnson. Later in the inning, Rollins came around to score on a single from Mayberry. Tied ballgame.
After seven brilliant innings, Cliff Lee's afternoon was complete. He allowed one run (unearned) on four hits, walking one and striking out six. He tossed 107 pitches, 72 for strikes. Solid.
In the bottom of the seventh, Pete Orr slapped a single, followed by a stolen base. Jimmy Rollins proceeded to smack the stitches off a baseball with a two-run home run sent to deep right. Just like that, the Phils took a 3-1 lead.
Phillippe Aumont came in for the eighth inning, and pitched a beautiful scoreless inning. He's settling into the majors very nicely, and is a huge possibility for the 2013 bullpen.
Jonathan Papelbon had two runners on in the ninth with two outs (walked one, hit one) for Gorkys Hernandez. Hernandez struck out with a mighty swing. The Phillies have now won seven straight ballgames. They've swept the Marlins, and this homestand.
Tomorrow night at 8, the Phillies and Astros will start a four-game series in Houston. Tyler Cloyd will take the mound on short rest after Sunday's doubleheader. Astros starter will be announced at a later time.
