Phillies’ run reaches 8 with win in 11
July 29, 2010
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Wilson Valdez(notes) showed off his sparkling defensive skillsbefore delivering a clutch hit.
Valdez’s RBI single with one out in the 11th inning lifted the PhiladelphiaPhillies to their eighth straight win, 3-2 over the Arizona Diamondbacks onThursday night.
Philadelphia Phillies starting… AP – Jul 29, 8:29 pm EDT Ari-Phi Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init(); Series at a Glance Arizona 5 Philadelphia 9 Tue, Jul 27 – Final Arizona 1 Philadelphia 7 Wed, Jul 28 – Final Arizona 2 Philadelphia 3 Thu, Jul 29 – Final 11th
Hours before the first pitch, the Phillies improved their chances at winninga fourth straight NL East title by acquiring three-time All-Star Roy Oswalt(notes) fromHouston for J.A. Happ(notes) and two prospects.
Oswalt is scheduled to start for the two-time NL champions at Washington onFriday night.
After the Diamondbacks tied it in the ninth, the Phillies rallied againstEsmerling Vasquez(notes) (1-4) in the 11th.
Vasquez struck out Jayson Werth(notes) before Cody Ransom(notes) walked. After Carlos Ruiz(notes)singled, Valdez lined a single to center and Ransom slid in safely ahead ofcenter fielder Chris Young’s throw.
“I feel happy to help the team,” said Valdez, who was filling in for theinjured Jimmy Rollins(notes). “We’re doing what we have to do to win.”
The Phillies closed within 2 1/2 games of division-leading Atlanta. They havemade up 4 1/2 games in the past week.
Jose Contreras(notes) (5-3) tossed a scoreless 11th for the win. Passed over in asave situation in the ninth, closer Brad Lidge(notes) pitched a perfect 10th. Lidgethrew 64 pitches and struggled while earning two straight saves earlier in theweek.
Joe Saunders(notes) gave up two runs and nine hits in seven innings in his firststart since the Diamondbacks acquired him in the trade that sent Dan Haren(notes) tothe Los Angeles Angels.
“Saunders pitched great,” Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said.
Kyle Kendrick(notes) allowed one run and four hits, striking out a season-high fivein 6 1-3 innings. He’s 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in two starts since a brief demotionto the minors last week.
“I want to pitch here,” Kendrick said.
Miguel Montero(notes) hit a solo homer for the last-place Diamondbacks, who havelost seven straight.
The Diamondbacks rallied to tie it in the ninth, but blew a chance to takethe lead. After Ryan Madson(notes) tossed a perfect eighth, manager Charlie Manuel kepthim in instead of turning to Lidge. But Justin Upton(notes) led off with a double andJ.C. Romero(notes) entered to face Adam LaRoche(notes), who lined a single to right.
Upton scored the tying run on Montero’s slow chopper to shortstop. AfterMark Reynolds(notes) was intentionally walked, Romero walked Stephen Drew(notes) on fourpitches to load the bases.
But second baseman Placido Polanco(notes) and shortstop Valdez turned anoutstanding double play on Gerardo Parra’s(notes) grounder to second. Valdez made astrong throw to barely beat Parra at first. Parra was ejected by first-baseumpire Adrian Johnson after slamming his helmet in disgust.
It was the second time Parra hit into a double play in a clutch spot. Withrunners at first and third and one out in the seventh, Polanco and Valdez madean even better turn on Parra’s slow bouncer.
“I tried to turn it as fast as I can,” Valdez said.
Manuel said he was planning to use Lidge to finish after Romero pitched tothe left-handed LaRoche if the Diamondbacks had used a right-handedpinch-hitter.
“He’s our closer,” Manuel said. “We definitely trust him.”
Ibanez gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the sixth with a drive into the seatsin right-center. Ibanez is batting .391 with two homers and 10 RBIs in thesecond half, raising his average to .263 from .243 at the All-Star break.
Ransom hit a one-out single in the fifth and scored when Ruiz lined a doubleinto the left-field corner.
Notes: Rollins sat out his third straight game with a bruised left foot. ThePhillies are also missing 2B Chase Utley(notes) and CF Shane Victorino(notes). Phillies RFDomonic Brown(notes) wasn’t in the starting lineup a night after going 2 for 3 with twoRBIs in his major league debut. Ben Francisco(notes) started instead of the left-handedhitting Brown against the lefty Saunders. Brown got a standing ovation when hepinch-hit in the seventh and flied out. … Upton extended his hitting streak to14 games. … A crowd of 45,232 was the 91st straight sellout at Citizens BankPark.
