Philadelphia, PA - The Philadelphia Phillies took advantage of shody defense and a strong outing from Joe Blanton to dismantle the Cleveland Indians 12-3, to sweep their three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.
Joe Blanton (3-5) went 7 2/3 innings allowing three runs on six hits and striking out eight. Blanton was given plenty of run support as the Philles went 15-37 from the plate.
Philadelphia, PA - Coming back form the DL is a tough thing to do especially if you've spent all but 14 games of the season away from your team. Jimmy Rollins proved that his almost two months away from the Phillies was an afterthought with a two-run walk off home run to vault the Phillies over the Cleveland Indians 7-6, in game two of their three-game set at Citizens Banks Park, Wednesday night.
(Philadelphia, PA) - Jamie Moyer went eight innings and only allowed one run on two hits to clinch his eighth win of the season as the Phillies topped the Cleveland Indians 2-1 in game one of their three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.
Moyer (8-6) did break a non-flattering record in the process as Russell Branyan sent a two-out solo home run in the top of the second to put Moyer of the top off the all time home runs allowed list in the MLB.
Former Phillies prospect and current Cleveland Indians shortstop Jason Donald landed in an interesting situation last nightwhen he was called safe on a routine ground ball to first in the 9th inning. A play that may go down as the most controversial call in baseball history.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game when Donald came to the plate. On a 1-1 count Donald hit a ground ball between first and second base and immediately ran down the line.
Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera fielded it cleanly and the ball was tossed to the waiting Galarraga at first, he tagged the bag ending the game.
27 batters up, 27 batters down... perfect game and MLB history... or was it.
First base umpire Jim Joyce emphatically called Donald safe at first, thus ending the perfect game. The only problem was that it was obvious Donald was out and Galarraga had finished the 21st perfect game in MLB history.
A packed home crowd for the Tigers began to boo and after some debate between Joyce and Tigers coaches Jason Donald was ruled safe and the game resumed. Galarraga completed what was now a shutout when Trevor Crowe grounded out to third base.
Tigers coach Leyland told reporters that he would not petition the league and said that he didn't hold anything against Joyce.
"We all make mistakes. It's a crying shame. (Joyce) is a real good umpire, has been for a long time. He probably got it wrong."
Before today's series finale Galarraga was selected to hand out the lineup card to the home plate umpire, who so happened to be Joyce.
Both hugged and a packed Comerica Park was there to witness the event. Galarraga, in a pre-game press conference told reporters he did not hold any grudges against Joyce and that "people make mistakes, this is baseball".
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is said to be reviewing the play and has the power of executive order to overturn the call. If confirmed this would be the first 28 out perfect game in the history of Major League Baseball but Selig has said in the past that he is not a fan of overturning calls.
Phillies fans will remember that Donald was a part of the deal that brought Cliff Lee to Philadelphia at the trade deadline last season. Donald was a package deal with other prospects such as Lou Marson, who is also an everyday starter for the Indians.
Who knew that when the Phils traded Donald to the Indians last season that he would make history. As a Phillies fan I'm just glad it didn't happen in the red and white.
