Giles Notches First MLB Save, Phils Win 3-0

Ken Giles entered the ninth inning in a situation he hasn’t yet faced in the Major Leagues earlier today: in his 42nd Major League appearance, the Albuquerquean entered a 3-0 game, Phils ahead, with a chance to earn his first big league save. On his 24th birthday, Giles got Stephen Vogt to strike out swinging then got third baseman Josh Donaldson to pop out to Marlon Byrd. The power-hitting Adam Dunn came to the plate in the ninth with two outs and Giles didn’t miss a beat. “100 Miles” Giles forced Dunn to pop out down the third base line to Cody Asche who made a nice catch to end the game and ensure Giles earned his first Major League save.

Galvis Puts the Phils Ahead

At one point this season, Freddy Galvis was the Majors’ worst player by FanGraphs’ version of WAR despite only tallying 46 plate appearances prior to his May 9 demotion. Galvis has been hitting the ball better since his August promotion with an .812 OPS and broke a 0-0 tie in the seventh with his fourth homer of the year, a two run shot that brought home Cody Asche. Marlon Byrd brought home Chase Utley

with a single with two outs in the eighth to push the score to 3-0.

Williams Making Case for 2015

Don’t let their tailspin fool you: the Oakland A’s are still a solid offensive ball club. Jerome Williams did not let them show their skills this afternoon. Williams went seven innings, struck out three, while scattering four hits and one walk. This is Williams’ second-straight outing with seven or more innings pitched while allowing no earned runs after two shaky outings. Williams could be a nice buy-low option to return to the Phillies in 2015.

The Phillies look for the series win tomorrow when A.J. Burnett takes the hill against Scott Kazmir.