Game 118 - Tuesday Night, August 17th in Philadelphia
With Pat the Bat and Chase Utley both returning to Philly, the Phils took game 1 of a key 3-game series against their closest Wild Card competition. Utley was activated this afternoon, a few weeks ahead of schedule, after missing all of July and the first half of August with a strained thumb. Burrell was making his return to Philly after being dumped by the Tampa Bay Rays in May and landing with the Giants.
The Giants jumped on the board early, scoring two 1st inning runs off Phils' starter Roy Oswalt. The 2nd run came on Pat Burrell's solo home run, his 13th of the year. The Phillies were held scoreless by Giants' starter Barry Zito until the 5th. With 2 outs, Jimmy Rollins hit a clutch single to center to score Mike Sweeney and Carlos Ruiz after both runners had been advanced on a fine sac bunt from Oswalt. In the 6th, they plated another pair after Placido Polanco singled and Jayson Werth doubled to start the inning. Shane Victorino doubled them both home, chasing Zito in the process.
A 5-run 8th inning, highlighted by Chooch's 2-run double, some sloppy play from the Giants and Giants' manager Bruce Bochy's ejection, made this one a laugher. (And we haven't had many of those this year.)
Oswalt had another solid outing, scattering 6 hits and 3 runs over his 7 innings of work, while striking out 7. And Polanco, with his 4 for 5 night, is now leading the NL in batting average, climbing over the Reds' Joey Votto and the Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez with his .325 average.
Dobbs Era Ends, Part II: For the 2nd time this year, Phillies Room favorite Greg Dobbs was designated for assignment. His roster spot was needed due to Utley's activation from the DL. Assuming he clears waivers and accepts a minor league assignment, Dobbs will be back with the big club on September 1st when rosters expand to 40 players.
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