Phillies Win 3 Straight Against Cubs
The Phillies won three of their last four games against the Cubs thanks in part to the big bats of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. The fourth game in the series today ended with a 4-3 victory.
Roy Oswalt got off to a rough start, allowing three runs in the first inning. But after he calmed down, Oswalt wound up going seven innings and did allow another run after the first.
However, Oswalt was involved in a little controversy after being called out on strikes in the sixth. The pitch looked like ball four and Charlie Manuel shouted from the dugout at the home plate umpire. He was quickly ejected which led to a few fireworks:
Manuel had reason to be upset. Prior to this incident, he watched his ball club load the bases twice with one out and score only one run each time. The bases were even loaded with the exact same players in both the first and third innings; Utley, Howard and Ben Francisco. Francisco drew a walk each time.
Coming away with only one run in the exact same situation twice had to be frustrating. It was just another reminder of how the Phillies offense has struggled to score runs.
But the memory was just that….a memory. Because in the seventh inning, Utley and Howard combined to set things straight. Utley doubled and then a single from Howard drove in two runs. Howard had three hits and three RBI in the game. Utley ended with two hits, a walk and two runs scored.
Utley also made what was probably a game-saving catching to end the game in the ninth inning. Ryan Madson allowed a single with two outs. Then Geovany Soto, who hit the game tying homer against Madson on Thursday, hit a fly ball into no-man’s land. Somehow, Utley got to the ball and the game was over. Whew!
By the way, today was the annual Father’s Day celebration and catcher Brian Schneider brought his mom and dad. Dad tossed out the first pitch.
The Phillies are off tomorrow, although they will all be at the Phillies Phestival which starts at 5pm Monday night. Hope to see you there!
And here is the full Photo Album from the game today. Enjoy!
Photos by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the MTR Media network*
Phillies Phollowers 