Today, the Phillies beat the Dodgers in walk off fashion, to avoid getting swept. This was Ryne Sandberg’s first win as a manager. Hopefully there are many more to come!
This game started off bad for the Phillies, when Andre Ethier belted a home run to right field, to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. In the 4th inning, Jerry Hairston Jr. hit a single to left center that drove Andre Ethier in, and the Dodgers were then up 2-0. In the bottom of the 4th, Darin Ruf hit a solo home run to left field, to end the Phillies scoreless innings streak at 21.2. That home run was the first run that the Phillies scored since Ryne Sandberg was named the manager of the Phillies.
This game was a pitching duel, as expected. Cole Hamels went 7 strong innings, only giving up 2 earned runs. Ricky Nolasco did almost as good, he went 6 innings and gave up 2 earned runs.
In the bottom of the 6th inning with the score being 2-1, Cody Asche grounded into an RBI fielder’s choice, to tie the game at 2. That score held until the bottom of the ninth inning. The bottom of the ninth inning started off with a Cody Asche strikeout. That was followed up with Casper Wells reaching on an error, so then the Phillies had the winning run on. After Wells reached on an error, Carlos Ruiz hit a single to right field, and Wells advanced to third. Later that inning with the bases loaded and one out, Michael Young pinch hit for Michael Martinez. Young hit a hard ground ball to shortstop that would have been an easy double play to get the Dodgers out of the inning, but Hanely Ramirez bobbled the ball and could not turn the double play. That error gave the Phillies a win, to avoid getting swept by the Dodgers.
Tomorrow, Ethan Martin and the Phillies will try to win game one of a 4 game series against the Rockies.
[Featured Image/http://www.bullpenbrian.com/2013/03/18/ryne-sandberg-next-manager-philadelphia-phillies/]
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
