Game two of the Arizona series was played as a late afternoon contest so that it could be carried as a regional broadcast on FOX Sports. Adam Eaton toed the rubber for the Fightins against the Big Unit Randy Johnson.
The Snakes bit first by scoring two runs in their first at bat as Chad Tracey and Mark Reynolds collected RBI’s. The Phillies tied the game in the third frame as Shane Victorino blasted a two run home run to the left field seats.
Things exploded in the fourth inning as Eaton ran into a bout of wildness after two outs. Alex Romero lined a single and Robby Hammock then walked. Eaton went to 3-2 on mound opponent Randy Johnson before hanging a slider that Johnson smoked down the left field line to score both runners. Stephen Drew then walked and Conor Jackson lined a double to left scoring Johnson. Orlando Hudson was issued an intentional walk and then Eaton was lifted in favor of RJ Swindle. It marked the second consecutive short outing for Eaton. Tracey produced two more runs on a broken bat single to center field. Mark Reynolds then blasted a three run home run as Arizona’s tenth hitter in the frame to make the score 10 to 2! All tolled the D-Backs sent 12 hitters to the plate as they took the eight run lead.
The Phillies scored two runs in the fifth inning highlighted by Shane Victorino’s second home run of the game. No more scores occurred and the game ended 10 to 4.
Chatter
Philly fans have lost their patience with Adam Eaton. Eaton was given a large contract before last season as a free agent acquisition. He has yet to produce in the blue collar town and has been a consistent target of the “Boo Birds”. RJ Swindle has been mediocre since getting the call from Triple A. The soft tossing lefty must be perfect in pitch placement or is subject to being blasted by major league hitters. With the stretch drive looming the Phillies are in need of a steady starter in the rotation along with someone who can pitch at the top. Perhaps the steady starter is Eaton but he has not shown results thus far. Eric Bruntlett got the start at second base as manager Charlie Manual gave All-Star Chase Utley the day off against Johnson.
