The Phillies defeated the Dodgers 7-3 Thursday night, with big help from a red-hot Carlos Ruiz. He was 3-3 with 2 RBI and two walks. He also made a heads-up play earlier in the game that saved a run and helped get the Phils out of a jam. His two run double in the ninth inning not only gave the Phillies the go-ahead runs, but it started a rally for the offense that gave them a four-run cushion going into the final frame. I should mention that Marlon Byrd was 3-5 with four RBI, as well. Here are some other notes from the game:
Replay Review/New Rules
In the fifth inning, as Kendrick was in a bit of a jam, Yasiel Puig grounded to Cody Asche, who threw home to get Hanley Ramirez out at the plate. Seems normal enough. But with the new rules on plays at the plate, this play became a much bigger deal. Asche’s throw pulled Carlos Ruiz into the baseline. The new rules state that a catcher may not block the runner’s path to home unless the throw pulls him there. The play went under review for what seemed like an eternity, and eventually the original ruling was upheld. Plays at the plate like this are going to be controversial all year, and this is just one example of just how confusing it can get.
Good Outing For Kendrick
Kyle Kendrick had a good outing–5.2 IP and just two runs given up. He got himself into a few jams (gave up 10 hits and allowed one walk), but worked his way out of it each time. He was pulled for Jake Diekman in the sixth inning, leaving the bullpen faced with the task of protecting a one-run lead with ten outs remaining. That brings me to my next note:
Bullpen
OK, OK, it wasn’t that bad tonight. We all expected to get bullpen’d (verb: to be let down by the Phillies bullpen late in the game). And it started to look that way–after Kyle Kendrick left the game in the sixth, Mike Adams promptly gave up the tying home run in the seventh inning. However, Adams pitched well aside from the home run given up to Adrian Gonzalez, as it was the only hit he’d give up over two crucial innings. Jonathan Papelbon threw a scoreless frame in the ninth–in a non-save situation thanks to a rally by the Phils in the top half. He’s been pitching well lately.
The Phillies head to Arizona next for a three game set with the Diamondbacks.
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