The first sign that something different was going to happen in Sunday’s Phillies game happened before the first pitch was thrown.
That’s because the afternoon tilt with the Brewers had a rain delay. Which probably would not be big news except for the small fact that the Brewers play in a stadium, with a retractable roof. You can’t make this stuff up.
The second surprise was seeing Dom Brown’s name in the lineup. That’s because the Brewers had a left-hander starting and Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel has been a bit cautious about sending Brown out against left-handed pitching.
The move paid off.
This is the game everyone has been waiting for from Domonic Brown, a guy who has been heralded as a ‘top prospect’ now for years, but seems to have fallen short every time he was given the chance.
Not yesterday.
Brown led the Phillies attack, lashing three hits with four RBIs, including a bases-clearing double, as the Phils rolled over Milwaukee, 8-0.
Brown is never going to turn anyone’s head in the outfield. The most recent example likely was a home run ball that just managed to elude his glove, a ball that many outfielders probably catch.
But there is no denying Brown’s ability at the plate.
There are any number of things about this year’s Phillies team that have been terribly disappointing, not the least of which is the fact that they continue to reside near the cellar of the National League East, 19 and a half games behind the Nationals.
But if you’re looking for bright spots, Domonic Brown just might be at the top of that list.
CLICK HERE for the game story on the Phils’ thrashing of the Brewers, including another sparkling eight innings of shutout ball from Kyle Kendrick. It's the latest tease from Kendrick, something, much like Brown, we've seen glimpses of before.
But can Brown keep it up, or will he soon revert to form. That's just one of the questions Charlie Manuel and the Phils need to answer over the next month.
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