Posted by Danielle Wilson
In the last game of this three-game series in Arizona, the Phillies avoided the sweep by taking an 8-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Unfortunately, they had to do it without Carlos Ruiz who left the game in the first inning due to lower back tightness.
Cole Hamels took the mound this afternoon against Joe Saunders and the D'Backs, and you'll never guess what showed up throughout the entire game for the Phillies…offense!
In the first inning, Victorino and Polanco singled before Jimmy Rollins doubled and scored Shane. Ben Francisco hit a ground rule double to left, scoring Polly and Shane, and just like that, the Phillies had a comfortable 3-0 lead. Shane also went yard (fourth of the season) in the second inning to push the lead to 4-0.
Melvin Mora doubled and scored Stephen Drew in the third inning, the only run that Hamels would allow through the first five.
In the fifth, Polanco singled, and Jimmy Rollins launched his first home run of the year to left field. 6-1 Phillies. Juan Miranda tripled before Chris Young homered to make it a 6-3 game.
With Juan Gutierrez on the mound for the D'Backs, this is where it gets interesting. Polly singled (of course) before Ryan Howard drew a walk and Ben Francisco was hit by a pitch in his back. Brian Schneider also walked, scoring Polly. 7-3 Phillies.
After seven innings, Cole's day was complete. His line: Four hits, three earned runs, one walk, one homer, eight strikeouts. Young, filthy Tony Bastardo replaced him in the eighth, and despite giving up a solo home run to Young, he pitched tremendously well, striking out two. That home run was the first run that he has allowed in 9.2 innings. 7-4 Phillies.
Ryan Howard went yard (fourth of the season) to left field in the ninth to give the Phillies an 8-4 lead. Now all that's left is for the other Ryan to close it out.
The other Ryan did just that, but it wasn't perfect. He issued a walk and allowed a single, but struck out two and grounded out Miguel Montero to end the game.
Tomorrow is an off day, but Friday will begin a three-game series at home against the LOLMets.
