Phillies Offense Continues to Heat Up; Bullpen Hangs On in 5-4 Win Over Pirates

Vance Worley took the hill tonight for the Phillies against lefty Eric Bedard of the Pirates. With the team playing more aggressive than ever this season, the remainder of this series is sure to be entertaining.

The Phillies jumped ahead early tonight with an RBI single from the hot-hitting Carlos Ruiz. He plated Hunter Pence who had tripled to get on base. Chooch is now hitting .360.

Pedro Alvarez scored the first run of the night in the top of the second for the Pirates after Michael McKenry hit a sacrifice fly to left field. Tied ballgame.

In the bottom of the second, Placido Polanco sent home Mike Fontenot with an RBI single to left. Jimmy Rollins was caught in a rundown to end the inning.

With Carlos Ruiz on base in the third, Ty Wigginton sent a bomb of a home run to the stands in left field, making it a 4-1 game.

Vance Worley hit some trouble in both the sixth and seventh inning. In the sixth, Andrew McCutchen was able to score on a single from Casey McGehee. In the seventh with nobody out, Drew Sutton doubled to bring home Clint Barmes. Two men were in scoring position with no outs when the Vanimal was taken out and replaced by Michael Schwimer.

Schwim pitched a scoreless inning which ended on a fantastic throw from John Mayberry, Jr. to get McKenry out at the plate. 

Worley's line from tonight: 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K. He has a 2.70 ERA since returning from the disabled list, and a 2.92 ERA overall.

Antonio Bastardo allowed a hit to McCutchen in the eighth, but struck out Pedro Alvarez to end the inning, holding the lead.

Carlos Ruiz sent an absolute rocket to left field with a 407-foot home run to lead off the eighth inning. If you haven't done so at least 2,000 times already, vote for Chooch for the 2012 All-Star Game. 5-3 Phillies.

Jonathan Papelbon entered for the save in the ninth inning with a 5-3 lead. With one gone, McKenry slapped a solo homer to left field, bringing the Pirates within one run of tying the game. However, Jonathan Papelbon wouldn't let that happen, Jose Tabata struck out to end the ballgame. 

Another 7:05 start tomorrow which just might feature Chase Utley who had a great night at Lehigh Valley tonight. Raul Valdes will start tomorrow in a bullpen game, since the Phillies used two starters on Sunday.