Perhaps it was fate, or perhaps it was just a continued hot start to Chase Utley’s season. But on the five year anniversary of the passing of Harry Kalas, the player dubbed “The Man” by the legendary broadcaster lived up to that billing.
Utley stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth with two outs. The game was tied, but soon wouldn’t be. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Utley drove the ball deep to right for the go-ahead solo home run.
Utley stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth with two outs. The game was tied, but soon wouldn’t be. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Utley drove the ball deep to right for the go-ahead solo home run.
It was Utley’s third home run of the season and his third hit of the afternoon, as the veteran second baseman continued his early season tear, increasing his average to .500.
The game would not start off as well for the Phillies, as the Marlins singled home a run in and the first and the second to take an early 2-0 lead. The Phillies would get one back in the third on a home run by Ryan Howard, but the Marlins would extend their lead to 3-1 in the fifth.
The Phillies would respond in the bottom half of the frame however, as Wil Nieves doubled home Utley and Domonic Brown with two outs in the inning.
Kyle Kendrick would exit the game after six innings that saw the righty allow three runs, as the Phillies’ bullpen would be asked to step up yet again.
The relievers did just that, as B.J. Rosenberg tossed a perfect seventh, striking out two batters, including Giancarlo Stanton. Antonio Bastardo would step up next, pitching a perfect eighth that would set him up to be the eventual winner.
Following the clutch home run by Utley to put the Phillies up 4-3, Jonathan Papelbon would be tapped for the save opportunity, and the closer would not disappoint. Papelbon threw a perfect ninth, picking up his third save of the season, as the Phillies completed a sweep of the Marlins to improve to 6-6 on the season.
The Phillies will welcome the Braves to Citizens Bank Park on Monday night. Roberto Hernandez will make the start, as the club attempts to get above the .500 mark.
Notes: A.J. Burnett will have an ultrasound on his sore groin on Monday to help determine if he will make his scheduled start on Wednesday.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
The game would not start off as well for the Phillies, as the Marlins singled home a run in and the first and the second to take an early 2-0 lead. The Phillies would get one back in the third on a home run by Ryan Howard, but the Marlins would extend their lead to 3-1 in the fifth.
The Phillies would respond in the bottom half of the frame however, as Wil Nieves doubled home Utley and Domonic Brown with two outs in the inning.
Kyle Kendrick would exit the game after six innings that saw the righty allow three runs, as the Phillies’ bullpen would be asked to step up yet again.
The relievers did just that, as B.J. Rosenberg tossed a perfect seventh, striking out two batters, including Giancarlo Stanton. Antonio Bastardo would step up next, pitching a perfect eighth that would set him up to be the eventual winner.
Following the clutch home run by Utley to put the Phillies up 4-3, Jonathan Papelbon would be tapped for the save opportunity, and the closer would not disappoint. Papelbon threw a perfect ninth, picking up his third save of the season, as the Phillies completed a sweep of the Marlins to improve to 6-6 on the season.
The Phillies will welcome the Braves to Citizens Bank Park on Monday night. Roberto Hernandez will make the start, as the club attempts to get above the .500 mark.
Notes: A.J. Burnett will have an ultrasound on his sore groin on Monday to help determine if he will make his scheduled start on Wednesday.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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