Vance Worley, who has been so solid for the Phillies since being inserted into the rotation simply had nothing today. He was shelled in the first inning for five runs and last only three more innings, giving up seven hits, six runs and three walks. He left the game with the Phils down 6-0. But with the way the Phillies have played lately and the fact that they were facing their personal whipping boy, the Dodgers, you had to wonder whether that lead was safe.
It wasn't. Hunter Pence smacked a two run homer in the fourth as part of a three run inning. A Casey Blake error and an Ibanez sacrifice led to two more runs in the fifth. In the sixth, Ben Francisco drew a one out walk and was moved to third after a Jimmy Rollins single. Rollins then stole second, but Shane Victorino struck out to leave runners on the corners with two out. Chase Utley then singled to plate both runners and tie the game at seven. Then, Ryan Howard stepped to the plate and deposited a pitch into the right field stands to make it 9-7, which is the biggest lead the Dodgers have choked up all year.
So despite giving up six runs in the first three innings, Vance Worley’s win streak (he hasn’t lost since May) remains intact as he did not factor into the decision. Kyle Kendrick got the win, Ryan Madson got his 22nd save and the Phillies get a well deserved day off tomorrow after playing 20 straight games.