A crowded dugout hanging on his every word. A standing ovation. A smash off the wall in right field. A run scored. A few hits. All in a days work for newcomer Domonic Brown as he wowed the crowd with his foot speed and bat speed. Brown electrified the crowd, and the team, as the Phillies slapped the Diamondbacks around for a 7-1 win, their seventh straight.
On a normal night, Roy Halladay would be the story. Another complete game with one meaningless ninth inning run, and six hits scattered, is about as good as it gets. Yet, Halladay played second fiddle behind the Dom Brown show.
It was all about Brown on this night, who finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, including a rocket double in his first plate appearance against starter Edwin Jackson. His only mistake shattered an impressive streak by the Phillies ace.
Halladay was working on tossing 34 consecutive innings at Citizens Bank Park without allowing a run, however, Brown missed a diving attempt at the ball in the ninth inning, which allowed the only Diamondbacks run to score. Brown said he took a chance knowing they were up seven runs, but usually doesn’t do that. And so, the streak ended at 33 innings for Doc.
Perhaps it was the adrenaline of trying to secure yet another complete game shutout for Halladay that led Brown to the slight error in judgment. Other than that, it was a near flawless performance from both.
Carlos Ruiz was an unsung hero as he struck for three hits and three runs batted in. Jayson Werth is absolutely raking as well. He finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two knocked in. Werth is now hitting .588 on the current homestand with four doubles, a home run, and six walks in six games. He’s on fire.
Group Raul Ibanez in with those who have hit a hot streak, as well. Ibanez has hit safely in seven straight games and in that span is 11-for-24 with seven RBI.
From top to bottom, it was a stellar effort for an offense that has broken out of its two-month-long slumber.
As for Dom Brown, as the media swarmed his locker, the big kid just smiled and answer quietly, yet politely, ever question shot his way. After a wild day, an electric one, Brown looked like he needed some rest. But not too much, the Phils need more of that energy for the long haul.
Manager Charlie Manuel joked that tomorrow there will be a Domonic Brown bobblehead doll. Start making them now; everyone wants one already.
Here’s Brown following the game:
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