Jayson Werth stole four bases in the opening game of the Phillies three game home series against his former team, the Dodgers. Included in his four steals was an electric swipe of home in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and the bases juiced. Werth timed the throwback to the pitcher from catcher Russell Martin perfectly and sprinted immediately thereafter for home sliding under the return throw from the pitcher! Alot of guts to even try it but one of those plays when successful leaves folks talking about it for a long time!
Chan Ho Park had his second consecutive strong outing by going six innings allowing only seven hits and two runs. Park started out a bit shaky in the first inning as the Dodgers hit some bullets but they were only able to score one time, he settled in nicely thereafter and earned the win. Werth led the Philie offense with two hits as the team could only muster six in the game. Raul Ibanez had the only extra base hit for the Fightins as he doubled to knock in one of the runs. Pinch hitter extraordinaire Matt Stairs added another pinch single to his tally with by delivering in the bottom of the eighth.
The bullpen did the job once again as Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge closed the game behind Park. Orlando Hudson had three hits in the game for the Dodgers. Lidge struggled a bit in the ninth but held on to earn his fifth save of the season.
Chatter
Werth’s four steals tied a team record for steals in a game, the last time a Phillie did so was in 1978 when Garry Maddox stole four in a fourteen inning game. Balking Bob Davidson had a tough nite as first base umpire and he missed a couple calls that were not so close for a professional umpire to make. Skipper Charlie Manuel mildly protested a call in the eighth just to let him know. Jimmie Rollins batted out of the fifth slot in the lineup in this one as he is battling a season long slump, J-Roll hit the ball hard a couple times and ended up one for three with one walk. Rollins will be fine, just gotta stick with him. The TV crew got a great shot of ex Phillie Larry Bowa in the Dodger dugout after a double steal was pulled off by the Phillies in the seventh, Bowa tossed his sunflower seeds and stomped into the clubhouse entry in disgust! Gotta love his intensity.
Chan Ho Park appeared to tweak a hamstring running out a bunt in his first at bat, the trainer was brought onto the field in the top of the fifth to check him but Park stayed in the game. Time will tell I suppose if the injury is something that may cause down time.
