Once again Eric Stults failed to get that elusive win and remains winless since the All Star Break. The Padres were riding a four-game winning streak coming into tonight's matchup, and things started out great. Unfortunately, the greatness wore down toward the end of the game and that winning streak was snapped.
It was a pitcher's duel through the first four innings. Our Padres threatened in the top of the 1st with a two-out walk by Jedd Gyorko, followed by a Jesus Guzman single, but Kyle Blanks grounded out to end the inning. Cliff Lee went on to retire ten batters in order, even striking out the side in the 4th. Eric Stults kept the Phillies to just two singles through those first four innings, while notching three strikeouts. He got some help from his defense also. For instance, Ronny Cedeño made this great diving catch and throw from his knees in the bottom of the 4th.
Tommy Medica made his major league debut tonight, getting the start at first base and batting sixth in the lineup. He struck out in his first at-bat, but his second time around he had an answer for Cliff Lee. Leading off the 5th inning, Medica took a 1-0 pitch deep to left center, putting the first run of the night on the board.
The lead wouldn't last very long, however. In the home half of the inning, Freddy Galvis hit a home run of his own to tie it up at 1. San Diego got the lead back in the top of the 6th on another solo shot, this time by Jedd Gyorko. It was his 18th home run of the year, which ties him with Evan Gattis for the league lead amongst rookies. It also puts him even for second most home runs ever by a Padres rookie.
Again, the lead was short-lived, and the last one the Padres would have this afternoon. Philadephia tied it up again in the bottom of the 6th on the fourth home run of the night - this one hit by Jimmy Rollins. Stults gave up a single and a double later that inning to put runners at the corners, but he was able to escape it unscathed. That was the end of his night as Nick Vincent came in to pitch the 7th.
It was not Vincent's night, however. He gave up a leadoff double to Galvis and followed by issuing a walk to John Mayberry. After a coaching visit, Vincent finally got the first out of the inning , but it was on a sac bunt that moved both runners up a base. Then an RBI groundout to the next batter, Cesar Hernandez, put the Phillies ahead 3-2. Vincent intentionally walked Rollins to get to Kevin Frandsen, who flied out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 8th, Brad Boxberger came out of the bullpen to replace Vincent. But like Vincent, he ran into some trouble. After giving up a leadoff single to Carlos Ruiz, he walked Darin Ruf. He was able to get Cody Asche to ground into a force out, but it gave both runners a chance to move up a base. A sac bunt by Galvis made it a 4-2 Phillies lead.
The Padres went down swinging in the 9th. But not in a good way. Will Venable struck out swinging to lead off the inning. Then Kyle Blanks lined out to center field. Finally, Medica struck out swinging as well to end the game and the Padres' winning streak.
The series is now even at a game apiece, so tomorrow's series finale will be a rubber match. Tyson Ross will take on Roy Halladay on the mound at 4:05pm as San Diego goes for its third straight series win.
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| Total comments | 56 |
| Total commenters | 12 |
| Commenter list | Axion, B Cres, EvilSammy, Ivan Verastica, John Crean, Sam (sdsuaztec4), TheThinGwynn, Wonko, abara, chris.callahan.7777, jodes0405, mrbarneydangles |
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Some weirdo named jodes0405 led the comment totals, even though she didn't join the game thread until the 6th inning. She also got the most recs (two), but TTG came in a close second with one rec.