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20 Part II: Phils Demolish Cardinals

The Phillies thoroughly pounded the Cardinals, 20-2. It was the second time this season the Phils scored 20 in a game; between 1957 and 2007 the Phils scored 20 runs just three times.

Yes, this team can be incredible.

Ryan Howard hit two home runs (now 17) and drove in five â€” his first homer was part of a back-to-back-to-back run with Chase Utley (ML-leading 22) and Pat Burrell (17) in the first inning. Those were all the runs the Phils needed. But they poured it on. In the fourth inning the Phils brought 15 to the plate, scoring nine runs. Kyle Kendrick had two hits in the inning, a double and an RBI single. The last Phillie pitcher to get two hits in an inning? Omar Daal in 2001.

Kendrick also pitched very well, going seven innings and giving up merely two runs on eight hits. Rudy Seanez and Clay Condrey mopped up.

Carlos Ruiz had a career day with four hits (two doubles) and four RBI. Shane Victorino went 3-for-7; Pedro Feliz went 3-for-5. The hits were plentiful and the runs came thusly. The Cardinals got a little bitter at the end, hitting Howard to bring forth an ejection, so it’s possible these teams will mix it up today or tomorrow. And they brought Aaron Miles in to pitch, giving him a standing ovation for getting the Phils 1-2-3. (Honestly, is there anything more annoying than these uber-positive Cards fans?) Regardless, the Phils set an early tone to this series. Howard was spectacular back at home and the rest of the team followed suit. And a 20-run game is a good way to wipe off a 1-2 series against the Marlins.

Associated Press photo

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.