SAMUEL BOTWINICK  |  Staff Writer
@avdbkr20samuel

The way the Phillies were victorious over the Dodgers 3-2 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park was indicative of the way their season has gone this year.

With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth, Michael Young hit a grounder to the
shortstop that could have easily been a double play, and send the game into extras.   Instead, Hanley Ramirez booted it, allowing Casper Wells to score from third and win the game for the Phillies.

Not surprisingly, Ramirez, who is not primarily known for his defensive abilities, had two errors in the game.  It was only a matter of time before one of those would come back to hurt him, and inevitably the Dodgers as well.


This game followed the pattern of the way the Phillies have won this year.  The starting pitching was solid;  the offense barely manufactured any runs; and the Phillies finally won on an error.  It practically started out the same for the Phillies as many other games did this year, with Cole Hamels surrendering a home run to Andre Ethier in the top of the second to let the Dodgers fire the opening salvo, 1-0, in this back and forth affair.     


Hamels lost some control on his fastball in the top of the fourth, but was able to bounce back to end the inning without incurring too much damage.  With one out, Ethier singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Jerry Hairston's blooper to left center to give the Dodgers a 2-0 advanatge.

The first series for Ryne Sandberg, the Phillies' new skipper, has not been eventful, or fun to watch from an offensive perspective, since the Phillies did not score in the last 21 innings prior to the fourth inning of this game.  They were, however, able to snap that streak in the bottom of the fourth, courtesy of a Darin Ruf long ball to left to put the Phillies on the board, 2-1 Dodgers.

Hustle and speed is one of the most overlooked aspects of the game.  Cody Asche used speed to his advantage to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth.  With the bases loaded and one out, Asche appeared to have grounded out to second, but beat the return throw to first to score Chase Utley from third, and tie the game at 2.

Hamels pitched great for the Phillies, tossing seven innings, surrendering two earned runs on seven hits, while striking out eight.

Ricky Nolasco pitched almost as well, allowing two earned runs on five hits, in six innings of work, while punching out five batters.

Jonathan Papelbon picked up the win in relief, tossing a scoreless ninth.

Carlos Ruiz had an outstanding day at the dish, going 4-4.

The Phillies will look to win consecutively and maintain an offensive rhythm for Sandberg when they take on the Colorado Rockies at 7:05 tomorrow night.


-  Samuel Botwinick is the staff writer for the Philadelphia Baseball Review.  Contact him at sbotwinick@philadelphiabaseballreview.com or @avdbkr20samuel on Twitter.

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