Utley, Werth, Lift Moyer
The Phillies were having trouble with runners in scoring position in the past two games. The streak continued in the first inning. With one out and the bases loaded, Micah Owings escaped the jam untouched. The Reds took advantage of the situation in the top of the second, taking a 2-0 lead on Edwin Encarnacion’s triple. Micah Owing’s sacrifice fly made it 3-0.
Chase Utley has proved he can hit home runs out of the park. He hit a long drive to deep center field off the angled wall and it ricocheted to right. As always, Utley hustled from the box. He rounded the bases with an easy inside-the-park home run, the second of his career. Not only did it pump up the crowd, but the boys in the dugout as well.
Jayson Werth’s double made it 3-2, but Encarnacion’s home run gave the Reds a little cushion. Even though Shane Victorino was elected into the All Star Game via the Final Vote, he still had to prove why he deserved it. His two-run single off the glove of Brandon Phillips tied the game at four. Phillips wanted those runs back, so he hit a two run shot giving the Reds a 6-4 lead. The first five innings were like a see-saw.
Moyer was done after five. He allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks. The Phillies relied on Chan Ho Park to keep the game close, and he pitched three hitless innings.
Feliz’s RBI single made it a one run game, so the Phillies called on Paul Bako after Carlos Ruiz left the game with an apparent injury. It looked like Bako grounded into an inning-ending double-play, but the pitcher covering missed the bag on the relay to first. Bako was safe, and the tying run scored. Jimmy Rollins followed with a RBI single, bringing in the go-ahead run.
The Phillies kept tacking on runs, winning 9-6. Werth hit his 20th home run of the season. He homered in every game of the series. In addition, with Utley’s and Werth’s home runs, the Phillies now have four players with 20 or more home runs before the All Star Break.
