Phils Capitalize on Sloppy D, Surge Past D-Backs for 6-5 Win
The Phillies didn’t get Cliff Lee‘s best performance tonight. But luckily for the Phillies, the Arizona Diamondbacks didn’t have their best night in the field. The Phillies capitalized on 3 D-Backs errors, erasing a 5-0 deficit entering the 7th to win 6-5.
Not Lee’s Best Night
Lee ended his 6 inning performance retiring 10 straight but struggled out of the gate. Lee allowed five runs in the first three innings, only three earned, while striking out two and walking two. Lee settled in but it looked like his late effectiveness was for naught as he exited the game down five.
Errors are Turning Point
The turning point of the game came in the eighth inning. Ryan Howard hit a routine fly ball to Martin Prado to lead off the inning. Prado misplayed the ball as he drifted into the outfield. Down 5-2, Marlon Byrd would walk, followed by a Domonic Brown base hit.
The red-hot Carlos Ruiz drove in Howard with a single. Freddy Galvis, who is now 0 for his last 22, struck out but was followed by a pinch-hit Cody Asche double to tie the game. Ben Revere hit the go-ahead single, scoring Chooch.
Bullpen Holds Diamondbacks Scoreless
Jeff Manship earned his first Major League win since 2010 by pitching a scoreless seventh. Antonio Bastardo and Mike Adams earned holds by splitting the eighth and Jonathan Papelbon earned his seventh save in eight chances by pitching a scoreless eighth. Since Papelbon’s disastrous April 2, he has now allowed only 4 hits in 9 IP, striking out 9, saving seven out of seven.
The Phillies look to win the series tomorrow and get over .500. The Phillies send A.J. Burnett to take on Brandon McCarthy. With a win, the Phillies will end their West Coast road trip a very respectable 6-4.
