Posted by Danielle Wilson
Everything about this game was just exciting, even the pre-game stats. Cole Hamels against the Reds including the postseason is 7-0 with a 0.91 ERA in eight starts. The Phillies' lineup tonight also looked rather intimidating; Rollins, Utley, Polanco, Howard, Ibanez, Ruiz, Brown, Mayberry. Beautiful, welcome back Chase Utley.
In Chase's first at bat back, he flied out, but with Jimmy Rollins on base, Placido Polanco launched a home run off of Bronson Arroyo to left field to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the first.
The third inning, however, was where it got good. Raul Ibanez singled to score Placido Polanco from third, followed by John Mayberry's single to center which scored Howard. Cole Hamels then joined the party and singled to score Carlos Ruiz who had previously drawn a walk. So, with Hamels and Mayberry on, Jimmy Rollins drilled a home run to right field. 9-0 Phillies, it's hittin' season!
In the top of the fourth, Cole Hamels allowed a three-run home run to Jay Bruce, 9-3 Phillies. Raul Ibanez answered in the same inning with a solo shot to center to give the Phillies a 10-3 lead.
After six innings, Hamels' night was done, he allowed three earned runs off of five hits, striking out four and walking two. Stutes pitched a scoreless seventh striking out two.
Sadly, Chase went 0-5 tonight with a strikeout, he was the only Phillies batter without a hit, aside from Ross Gload's pinch hit appearance. Needless to say, Chase's standing ovation during his first at bat was epic, and hearing "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin as his walk-up music for the first time this season just gave Phillies fans chills.
Antonio Bastardo pitched a perfect eighth, and with Madson unavailable to pitch due to a bruise on his hand, Danys Baez closed it out perfectly in his place.
And with that 10-3 win, (most runs scored by the Phillies since April 29) the Phillies advance to 29-18, still leading the National League, and still second in the majors behind the 29-15 Cleveland Indians. Cole Hamels now 6-2 on the season.
Vancey pants Worley goes tomorrow against Johnny Cueto. Phillies, you're doing it right, do it again tomorrow.
