Philadelphia, PA - A home run derby broke out where a baseball game was supposed to be played as the Phils and Twins accounted for nine bombs in Minnesota's 13-10 win over the Phillies.
Game two of the three game interleague set was a perfect atmosphere for the long ball and both teams took advantage of the prefect weather at Citizens Bank Park.
Both teams started early as the Twins scored three runs in the top of the first. Denard Span tallied the games first run on a Justin Morneau one-out single. The Twins scored two more on a Delmon Young one-out double to left field.
The Philles were not to be outdone as they played three in the bottom half of the first. The first two came on a Chase Utley triple that traveled all the way to the left field gap, scoring Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco.
After getting roughed up early Cole Hamels settled sitting the Twins down in order in the next five innings as the Phillies tacked on, what they thought would be, insurance runs.
Ryan Howard and Wilson Valdez both went yard in the bottom of the second and Chase Utley scored Hamels on a sacrifice fly to give the Phillies a comfortable 7-3 lead.
Howard's two-out homer was his 14th of the season and Wilson Valdez tallied his first of the season
Howards shot was his only hit of the game, he went 1-6 with three strikeouts and was fooled by Twins pitching. Ryan's recent success is only to be trumped by the fact that he has struck out in seven of his last 18 at-bats.
Minnesota starter Kevin Slowey was sent to the showers after only 1 2/3 innings as he was responsible for all seven early Phillies runs. Slowey got a no decision in the game but was accountable for most of the Phillies damage.
The Phillies added one more run on a Raul Ibanez solo shot in the bottom of the third to extend the lead to 8-3.
Cole Hamels stayed solid until the sixth when Justin Morneau sent his 14th of the season over the right field wall. Morneau was 2-5 with three RBI.
Philles right fielder Jayson Werth decided to join in on the home run derby in the seventh as he sent a two out solo shot over the center field wall for his 12th long ball of the year. Jayson is in the midst of his only slump as he is 5-15 in the teams last five games.
The longest shot of the came from ex-Philly Jim Thome as he sent a towering two-out shot off of Jose Contreras that was measured at 570 feet. Thome's shot was his sixth of the season and began a five run ninth innings for Minnesota that sent the game into extra innings.
Nick Punto scored on a Danard Span single and Joe Mauer tied the game on a two-out shot off of inserted closer Brad Lidge.
Lidge was inserted against Mauer because of his success against the Twins captain. In last nights game Lidge fooled Mauer on a 2-2 slider to end the game from the Phillies.
A pair of pinch-hitters kept the derby going in the tenth on solo shots as Drew Butera tallied his first of the season and Ross Gload his third to make the game 10 a piece going into the 11th.
Danys Baez was the Phillies last ditch effort in the 11th but came out flat allowing the Twins to score three runs to seal the win for Minnesota. Baez (2-3) saw his ERA rise to 5.14 and has failed to finish a scoreless inning in the month of June.
Despite allowing the Gload home run Twins closer John Rauch (2-1) recorded his second win of the season.
The Phillies and Twins will close out the series tomorrow as Roy Halladay (8-5) will face Carl Pavano (7-6) game time is set for 1:35.
Box Score
Game Notes: Jim Thome's home run in the ninth put him in the record books as he has now hit a home run against all 30 MLB teams... Jimmy Rollins is expected to make his first start Sunday after only playing in 12 games this season.
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