Phillies Solve Redding, Beat Nationals
The Phillies went down early, but broke out with a five-run fifth inning en route to an 8-5 win. In that fifth, Jimmy Rollins knocked an RBI double, Shane Victorino brought home two with a single, and Chase Utley brought he and Vic around with his 28th home run of the season. Victorino also hit a homer — his ninth, an insurance shot in the seventh.
Pat Burrell added a bases-loaded single in the first inning, getting the Phils on the board.
They didn’t hold on at first, as Jamie Moyer ran into early trouble and went down 3-2. But he was solid after, striking out five on 94 pitches. He left after six innings and looked comfortably ahead once the Nats came back to bat. Ryan Madson gave up two quick runs — which he’s been doing a lot of lately. Jayson Werth didn’t help at all, stumbling before catching what became a ground-rule double. He was brought in for Burrell on a defensive replacement move. Seriously, can Charlie Manuel stop this replacement garbage on Burrell?
Once all that ended, Chad Durbin finished off the Nats in the eighth and Brad Lidge netted his 26th save of 26 chances.
With the win (and a Mets loss) the Phillies are back in first place, 0.5 games ahead of the New Yorkers. Another positive note: both Geoff Jenkins and Carlos Ruiz had two hits in the game; Ruiz has raised his average from .202 to .217 since July 13.
Associated Press photo
