The Phillies welcomed back a couple of old friends last night.
Only one was wearing red pinstripes.
Pat Burrell was back in the familiar confines of Citizens Bank Park. The popular member of the 2008 World Champions – who along with his dog led the parade down Broad Street – was welcomed “home” with a lusty cheer, right up until the point where he deposited a Roy Oswalt pitch into the left-field seats.
Burrell’s blast spotted the Giants to a 2-0 lead. It would not last long.
The Phillies stormed back to put up nine runs in rolling to a 9-3 win.
The Phils also welcomed back Chase Utley to the lineup. After missing a month and a half with a sprained thumb, Utley was back at his post at second base last night.
There was no storybook return for Utley. He went a very workmanlike
0-for-5 at the plate. But Utley’s return means much more than that. He just might be the heart and soul of the team. Maybe that’s one reason why no one on the Phils’ bench as much as batted an eye when Burrell put the Giants on top in the top of the first.
Phils’ hurler Roy Oswalt settled down and went six strong innings.
The win lifts the Phillies a game over the Giants in the Wild Card chase, while they stay two and a half back of the Braves in the NL East.
They likely will welcome slugger Ryan Howard back to the lineup next week.
As homecomings go, we’ll take Utley’s 0-for-5 any day.
Only one was wearing red pinstripes.
Pat Burrell was back in the familiar confines of Citizens Bank Park. The popular member of the 2008 World Champions – who along with his dog led the parade down Broad Street – was welcomed “home” with a lusty cheer, right up until the point where he deposited a Roy Oswalt pitch into the left-field seats.
Burrell’s blast spotted the Giants to a 2-0 lead. It would not last long.
The Phillies stormed back to put up nine runs in rolling to a 9-3 win.
The Phils also welcomed back Chase Utley to the lineup. After missing a month and a half with a sprained thumb, Utley was back at his post at second base last night.
There was no storybook return for Utley. He went a very workmanlike
0-for-5 at the plate. But Utley’s return means much more than that. He just might be the heart and soul of the team. Maybe that’s one reason why no one on the Phils’ bench as much as batted an eye when Burrell put the Giants on top in the top of the first.
Phils’ hurler Roy Oswalt settled down and went six strong innings.
The win lifts the Phillies a game over the Giants in the Wild Card chase, while they stay two and a half back of the Braves in the NL East.
They likely will welcome slugger Ryan Howard back to the lineup next week.
As homecomings go, we’ll take Utley’s 0-for-5 any day.
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