Baseball is one of those sports where any team, no matter how good or bad, can beat another on any given day. But when the good exploits the bad, then, well, it's not a pretty thing to watch.
Just in case you missed it, the Philadelphia Phillies are in town facing the Arizona Diamondbacks. The defending World Series champion Phillies, who are well on their way to another postseason berth.
Game one of the series, which took place last night at Chase Field, was amazing for the Phillies (the good) and not so awesome for the Diamondbacks (the bad and the fugly). Said another way, Philadelphia's business-like 6-2 win truly showed how much distance there is between these two clubs.
For the Diamondbacks, who actually outhit Philly nine to six, this game was just one big ol' missed opportunity. D-Backs manager A.J. Hinch, facing his old manager, Charlie Manuel, made some good moves with the lineup that faced the Phillies' 46-year-old lefty ace Jamie Moyer (10-7). However, the D-Backs' oh-no O just couldn't capitalize on jack squat. Just check this out: In the first, Arizona left two stranded; during the second, they loaded the bases and came away with nothing; and more of the same occurred in the third, when the first two reached, but were left as sitting ducks.
On the other hand, Philly didn't waste anything. In the fourth inning against Jon Garland (5-10), Chase Utley singled to right, then scored on Ryan Howard's titanic blast to center. After the Phils added another in the fifth, the D-Backs' D imploded in the sixth. Ryan Roberts, who really needs to, like, be demoted or something, booted a ball, then later double-clutched on a potential double play. Mark Reynolds, too, messed around and couldn't turn two, and before you knew it, Philly had stretched its lead to 6-0.
Arizona finally got on the board in the eighth when Reynolds slammed a solo shot to center for his 27th home run of the year.
The Phils' win moved the NL East leaders to an astounding and impressive 18-5 record for the month.
For those who love pitching duels, tonight should be the bomb when Arizona's Dan Haren (10-5, 2.14 ERA) faces Philadelphia's World Series hero Cole Hamels (6-5, 4.66 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. TV: Fox Sports Arizona. Radio: KTAR-AM 620. For more info, see www.dbacks.com.
