Philadelphia Phillies defeat Cincinnati Reds 3-2 for third straight win – MLB Update
The Philadelphia Phillies maintained their solid hand over the Cincinnati Reds overpowering them 3-2 in the series-opener at the Great American Ball Park on Monday, August 29 to take a 1-0 lead in the four-game series.
Phillies had won the last two outings with the Reds dating back to May 25 and 26. It was their third straight win over the league rivals.
Antonio Bastardo tossed a perfect ninth inning to get his sixth win of the season. He has not lost even a single game in his all 54 games of the season. He struck-out three batters on eighteen pitches to improve his record to 6-0 with an exceptional 1.42
ERA.
Before him, Cole Hamels worked six innings and allowed one run on two hits and struck-out seven batters. He tossed 50 strikes of 76 pitches.
"It was a real good night for him, real good," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We didn't want to push him. At the same time, he felt good."
Reds' Joey Votto had taken his club to a 1-0 lead with his RBI single in the fourth inning. Phillies’ Wilson Valdez tied the game at 1-all touching an RBI earning double to left-field.
The Reds’ starter Homer Bailey did not allow further run until the eighth when Shane Victorino launched a solo homer for two runs to get the Phillies to a 3-1 lead. Bailey was tossing extremely fast balls to restrict the Phillies' batting squad, but this
pitch prove helpful for Victorino.
"He looked very sharp, very good," Victorino said. "If you'd told me he was on the DL for 15 days, I'd have said, 'No way.' I hope to keep that Cole the rest of the way. I think he's back."
The Phillies were leading 3-1 in the top of the eighth, but Michael Stutes allowed an RBI single to Dave Sappelt, who reached on an infield to third baseman Placido Polanco, as he threw a wide ball that allowed Ryan Hanigan to score and Brandon Phillips
to third base.
Then Ryan Madson threw a perfect ninth inning to get his 24th save of the season. Phillies earned their 84th win to remain the Majors leader. The National League’s club has cemented their place in the post-season if they take the series sweep.
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