Eaton, Burrell Star as Phillies Edge Reds
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Adam Eaton, who had been strong in his last two starts, had easily his most impressive performance of the season going 6 2/3 innings allowing only 1 run on 3 hits and walking noone. And rightfielder Pat Burrell broke up a 6th inning 1-1 tie pounding his 14th homer, a hanging slider from starter Aaron Harang, to leftfield to provide the winning margin following 2nd baseman Chase Utley’s lead-off double as the Phillies again edged the Cincinnati Reds, this time by a 3-2 score.
With the win, the NL East front-running Phillies widened their lead to 2 1/2 games over the Florida Marlins who were edged by the 3rd place Atlanta Braves who are 3 1/2 back. The 4th place Mets, who exploded for an 8 run fifth inning to defeat the San Francisco Giants, remained 4 1/2 games back.
Eaton, who had been booed last season and through the early part of this season for his astronomic ERA, retired the first 6 hitters he faced before 3rd baseman Edwin Encarnacion led-off the third inning with a homer to leftfield giving the Reds a short-lived lead.
In the bottom of the third, Eaton helped his own cause leading off with a single to left centerfield, although he was later rubbed out on a fielder’s choice grounder by shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Two outs and three hitters later, Utley tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI single to centerfield scoring Rollins who had 3 hits in the game.
Meanwhile, after six innings, Eaton had only given up one other hit, a lead-off single to centerfielder Ryan Freel in the fourth inning while Harang was nearly as good through five innings.
But, with one out and Utley at 2nd base, Burrell stroked what turned out to be the game-winning homer. Rightfielder Geoff Jenkins followed with a double to rightfield but was stranded as 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz and catcher Carlos Ruiz both flied out to end the inning.
In the seventh inning, after hot hitting rightfielder Jay Bruce singled and was rubbed out on a doubleplay, Manuel lifted Eaton and went to lefthanded reliever J.C, Romero to face lefthanded hitters; leftfielder Adam Dunn and 1st baseman Joey Votto. Romero walked Dunn and struck out Votto to retire the side. Winning Eaton was given a standing ovation as he left and rewarded the crowd, who in previous appearances had been hostile, with a tip of the cap. Eaton stayed totally free of walks for the first time this season.
In the Phillies seventh, they threatened to add to their lead as Harang was lifted with runners on 2nd and 3rd with none out. His replacement, the recently called up diminutive 5′8″, 145 lb reliever Danny Herrera, got centerfielder Shane Victorino to ground out before intentionally walking Utley to load the bases. Then, in impressive style, Herrera got both 1st baseman Ryan Howard and Burrell on strikes to retire the side.
Harang, who was charged with the loss, also pitched well but made a major mistake on the slider which hung to Burrell and cost him the game.
Tom Gordon replaced Romero to open the eighth and got into immediate trouble as Encarnacion led-off with a triple to centerfield. Pinch hitter Javier Valentin followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in Cincinnati’s 2nd run. Veteran great Ken Griffey Jr., still seeking career homer # 600, pinch hit for Herrera. Gordon walked Griffey, but then retired the side on a fly out and strike out to get the game to Brad Lidge time.
Closer Lidge had a dicey ninth inning opening with a walk to Jay Bruce. Bruce was wiped out on 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips’ doubleplay grounder. But then he walked Adam Dunn and Joey Votto singled. However, Lidge wrapped up his 15th save as Encarnacion flied out to centerfield to end the game.
AP sports writer Rob Maaddi notes;
Rollins stole his 23rd and 24th consecutive bases, dating to last season. It’s the longest streak in the majors.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Tuesday’s games, click here.
On Wednesday, Edinson Volquez opposes Brett Myers. In Thursday’s final, ace lefthander Cole Hamels, after 2 sub-par performances, is slated to start against young recently recalled Homer Bailey.
After Thursday’s game, the Phillies head for the road for 9 games; 3 each against Atlanta, Florida and St. Louis.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on Wednesday’s games, click here.
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