Monday, April 21, 2008

Utley Blasts Phils Past Mets, Avoid Sweep

Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN featured the "teams" to beat in the NL East, as the Phillies and Mets squared off in the final game of their weekend series. The Phils sent Adam Eaton to the mound to face off against Mike Pelfry. Eaton has had a surprising start to the season, keeping opponents in check all year and providing the offense with an opportunity to win the games. Sunday night was no different, except the Phillies brought their "secret" weapon.

Chase Utley had homered in each of the Phillies loses in the series against the Mets and it appeared that it was going to take more than one to get past their heated rivals. It took two. Utley hit a solo home run in the first inning to get the Phils on the board early. Pelfry seemed to keep the rest of the Phillies offense in check until the 5th inning, when Chase Utley powered a second ball into the stands with two men on to make the lead 4 for Eaton. Unfortunately though, Eaton struggled in the 6th inning and the Mets managed to battle back to score 4 runs of their own and tie the game up, sending the Philly crowd running for cover.

Lucky for the fans though, they only had to wait until the next inning when Pedro Feliz came into to pinch hit for Gregg Dobbs against Pedro Feliciano. Feliz managed to get the best of the match up sending one over the wall and supplying the winning run for the Phils.

Brad Lidge came in to get the save, and although he allowed the first to batters to reach base, he managed to get out of the game on a stellar play by MVP Shortstop Jimmy Rollins replacement, Eric Bruntlet.

The Phils head to Colorado on Monday to face the Rockies.

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