Sunday, July 14, 2013

Phillies beat White Sox in 10, reach break all even

Philadelphia, PA -- After playing 24 innings in a Saturday doubleheader split, the Phillies and White Sox decided extra baseball was in order once more for the last game before the All-Star break.

John Mayberry's two-out, bases-loaded single plated Chase Utley with the winning run, sending Philadelphia past Chicago, 4-3, in the rubber match of a three-game interleague series.

"It's definitely exciting to pull that one out,'' Mayberry said. ''It gives us momentum and being able to carry momentum into the All-Star break and second half.''

David Purcey (0-1) allowed a leadoff double to Utley, then gave Jimmy Rollins a free pass before a Domonic Brown groundout moved both into scoring position. Darin Ruf also was walked intentionally to load the bases, bringing on Ramon Troncoso, who fanned Delmon Young swinging before serving up the game-deciding hit.

"We had plenty of opportunities, especially in Game 1," Rollins said of potentially sweeping their AL foes this weekend.

Antonio Bastardo (3-2) overcame an Utley fielding error to toss a scoreless top of the 10th. Jonathan Papelbon entered the ninth with a 3-2 lead, but allowed a game-tying hit to Josh Phegley.

It spoiled a solid outing from Cole Hamels, who allowed eight hits and two runs with seven strikeouts in going eight full innings. The left-hander, who was in line for his fifth win of the season, also finished 2-for-2 and drove in a run.

Brown backed up his first career All-Star selection by slugging a two-run double for the Phillies, who completed their 10-game homestand with a 7-3 record.

"I think this sets us up,'' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. ''We've got to get going, we've got to get some wins.''

That was some badly-needed good news less than a day after the Phils learned that starting center fielder Ben Revere will be lost indefinitely after suffering a broken right foot in the twinbill opener.

Philly hits the Mid-Summer cessation at 48-48, reaching the .500 level for the first time since a loss at Milwaukee on June 7 dropped them to 31-31.

Alejandro De Aza collected two hits including a solo homer for the White Sox, who hit the break having lost seven of 10. Jeff Keppinger added an RBI single in the loss.

''The record stands for itself,'' Chicago manager Robin Ventura said of his club, which dropped to 18 games below .500 and 14 games back of first-place Detroit. ''We'll just go home, try to clear our minds and get ready to go in the second half."

The hosts picked up two runs in their first turn at the plate. Utley walked with one down, Rollins followed with a single and both came in on Brown's double off the low wall in center.

Hamels did his part in the fourth, driving in Young with a two-out RBI single to make it 3-0 for the Phillies.

De Aza doubled to start the sixth, but stayed there when Alexei Ramirez fanned swinging and was erased when Utley snagged an Alex Rios liner and stepped on second to complete the inning-ending double play.

In the seventh, a bloop double from Adam Dunn eluded the glove of Brown in left, then Rollins came up just short on a flare to left by Dayan Viciedo. Keppinger's base hit made it 3-1 and left runners on the corners, but Hamels worked out of trouble by fanning Phegley and inducing a 5-4-3 double-play grounder from Brent Morel.

De Aza's one-out homer inside the foul pole in right brought the Sox within 3-2 in the eighth, but both Ramirez and Rios grounded out to keep it a one-run spread.

Papelbon surrendered the game-tying RBI single from Phegley with two down in the ninth. Viciedo singled with one down, then pinch-runner Blake Tekotte stole second before scoring easily on the hit. That was the former Red Sox closer's fifth blown save in 25 chances this year.

''He might be getting a little spent this time of year,'' Manuel said. ''The break is going to be real good for him.''

De Aza was on after Utley failed to snag his grounder in the 10th, but Bastardo induced an inning-ending double-play grounder by Ramirez.

Notes: Philadelphia has won five of its last six series ... ChiSox starter Jose Quintana gave up three runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks over six full frames ... The Phils haven't played in three straight extra- inning games since July 6 and 8-9, 2011 against Florida and Atlanta ... Prior to the contest, the Phillies placed center fielder Ben Revere on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right foot and reinstated catcher Erik Kratz from the DL ... Both clubs are away from the diamond until Friday, when the Phils hit the road to take on the Mets and the White Sox continue interleague action by hosting Atlanta.

No comments: