The Phillies have gotten some serious power from the catching position today. Heading in to the 7th innings of today’s game, the Phillies held a slight 3-2 edge over the Braves thanks to Brian Schneider’s 2-run homer in the fourth. But in the 7th inning Carlos Ruiz, in a pinch hitting situation, blew it wide open.
Raul Ibanez led the inning off with a double to shallow right. That chased righty Brandon Beachy from the game as Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez opted to bring in lefty George Sherrill to face lefty Brian Schneider, who had already taken Beachy deep earlier. However, Charlie Manuel countered by sending up righty John Mayberry Jr., who singled to left center for his fourth pinch hit of the season.
With runners on the corners, Wilson Valdez drew a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Charlie Manuel sent Carlos Ruiz out to pinch hit for Oswalt and Fredi Gonzalez countered by pulling Sherrill for Scott Linebrink. Chooch would make him pay with a grand slam to deep left to make it 7-2 Phillies.
Linebrink would stay in the game and surrender a single to Shane Victorino before striking out both Placido Polanco and Jimmy Rollins. However, Ryan Howard would double in Victorino to tack on another run before Ben Francisco grounded out to end the inning.
It’s 8-2 Phillies in the bottom of the 8th. Roy Oswalt’s day is done after six innings, he gave one earned run on five hits with two strikeouts. Lil’ Roy is in line for his first career regular season win over Atlanta, who is the only NL team he has yet to beat.