
A weight was lifted off Ryan Howard's shoulders on Sunday afternoon, if only for a few hours.
Following trade talks, benchings and even rumors of his release, Howard came up big in the series finale against the D-backs, as the Phillies picked up a 4-2 victory.
Following trade talks, benchings and even rumors of his release, Howard came up big in the series finale against the D-backs, as the Phillies picked up a 4-2 victory.
Howard started off the afternoon with a bang, driving a first-pitch fastball to left center field in the first inning to put the Phillies ahead 2-0.
The D-backs would take one back in the second before tying the game at 2-2 in the sixth inning.
A little bit of luck would bail the Phillies out in the sixth, however, as a fielding error by Didi Gregorius in the bottom sixth allowed Marlon Byrd to reach base safely and Howard to round third and come home.
Howard was out by a mile at the plate, but thanks to a terrible rule regarding home plate collisions, ended up being called safe upon review when the umpires ruled D-backs catcher Miguel Montero did not allow Howard an open lane to the plate.
The Phillies would add one more in the seventh to give the bullpen an insurance run to work with, as they went on to win 4-2.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
The D-backs would take one back in the second before tying the game at 2-2 in the sixth inning.
A little bit of luck would bail the Phillies out in the sixth, however, as a fielding error by Didi Gregorius in the bottom sixth allowed Marlon Byrd to reach base safely and Howard to round third and come home.
Howard was out by a mile at the plate, but thanks to a terrible rule regarding home plate collisions, ended up being called safe upon review when the umpires ruled D-backs catcher Miguel Montero did not allow Howard an open lane to the plate.
The Phillies would add one more in the seventh to give the bullpen an insurance run to work with, as they went on to win 4-2.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat