Well, this was one hell of a ballgame.
After last night's ninth inning victory over the Mets, tonight's game (a makeup of Tuesday night's washout) which was started by Tyler Cloyd, was entertaining from the get-go.
In the top of the first inning, the Phillies scored eight runs. Yes, eight. Here's how it all went down:
Jimmy Rollins singled, Juan Pierre singled, Chase Utley singled, Ryan Howard singled, John Mayberry singled, Domonic Brown singled, Kevin Frandsen walked, Erik Kratz was hit by a pitch, Tyler Cloyd grounded into a double play, Jimmy Rollins singled, Juan Pierre singled, Chase Utley singled, then Ryan Howard grounded out.
That's just incredible. And very unfortunate for the Mets, because they lost their starting pitcher after Kevin Frandsen walked. However, his pitching line was charged with six hits, seven earned runs, and one walk. Collin McHugh replaced Jeremy Hefner for three innings, allowing one run on three hits, all in the first inning.
Tyler Cloyd was breezing through the Mets' lineup. Through six innings, Cloyd gave up just three hits and one run, a solo homer in the fifth inning off the bat of Mike Baxter. Cloyd walked two and struck out four.
The Phils scored a few more runs tonight after the eight-run first inning. In the eighth, Chase Utley brought home Tyler Cloyd to make it a 9-1 ballgame. It was Chase's fourth hit and third RBI of the night.
After eight, Tyler's Cloyd's night was done. He allowed just the one run on three hits, walking two and striking out six. He tossed 88 pitches, 64 for strikes. Very nice.
Later, with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, Jimmy Rollins walked, forcing home Kevin Frandsen. Juan Pierre made it safely to first on an infield single, plating Erik Kratz. That marked his fifth hit of the night. Chase Utley then took a pitch to the arm. Schierholtz scores.
Was the 11-run lead not high enough for you? Let Ryan Howard take care of that. With the bases still drunk in the ninth, Howard hit a MONSTER grand slam to left field. 16-1 Phillies.
In the bottom of the ninth, B.J. Rosenberg closed it out with a double play after walking one. The Phillies have swept the Mets in three games, and they did so in grand fashion.
Tomorrow night, the Phils will start a three-game series at home with the Atlanta Braves. Kyle Kendrick and Tommy Hanson will square off at 7:05.
