The Phillies were looking to brush off last night's tough walk-off loss that Chipper Jones and the Braves served up. It wasn't a happy flight to Cincinnati, but that wouldn't stop the Phils from fighting this afternoon.
Tyler Cloyd in his second major league start looked magnificent this afternoon. Through seven innings, he allowed just one run, a solo homer to Jay Bruce in the second inning.
The Phillies' lineup did a whole lot of nothing in Cloyd's first outing last week. They didn't do much of anything today, either, up until the fifth inning. Steven Lerud picked up a hit to start the inning, followed by Tyler Cloyd's first major league hit. Jimmy Rollins followed that with a three-run shot to right field for hit no. 1,999. 3-1 Phillies.
In the top of the sixth, John Mayberry sent his 14th home run to the seats in left field, extending the Phillies' lead to 4-1.
Tyler Cloyd was done after seven outstanding innings. He allowed just one run on four hits, walking none, and striking out nine. 107 pitches, 71 for strikes.
Recent September call up Justin De Fratus entered his first game of the 2012 season in the eighth. De Fratus walked Denis Phipps, but got Zack Cozart to end the inning on a double play.
In a save situation, Phillippe Aumont came in for his first shot at a big league save. Brandon Phillips singled with one out, but was out on a fielder's choice from Ryan Ludwick. Jay Bruce came through with an RBI single, cutting the Phils' lead in half. Aumont stayed in, and got Todd Frazier to ground out to end the ball game.
Tyler Cloyd picks up his first major league win, Phillippe Aumont picks up his first major league save, and the Phillies take game one, 4-2.
Kyle Kendrick will look for his fifth consecutive win tomorrow night at 7:10 against Mat Latos.
