A Technicolor sunset filled the sky at Citizens Bank Park last night. Fireworks came later.Both Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth had three hits in last night's 12-inning win over the Diamondbacks. Victorino got a 'save' in the 8th, with an almost-spectacular catch that prevented a home run, then an assist, getting the ball in to Jimmy Rollins, who threw out the advancing runner at 3rd. In the bottom of the 8th, Victorino brought in the tying runs with a triple. It stayed 5-5 till the 12th, when So Taguchi (finally!) led off with a single. Rollins was then intentionally walked. Jayson Werth then singled to right and Taguchi scored standing.
It was fireworks night and most of the crowd of 45,000+ was still on hand for the exciting finish. I had to leave after the 7th and got home at 11, just in time for Werth's single. In the 2nd, Ryan Howard (or Howie, as Werth called him) sent the first pitch he saw from D'back starter Doug Davis soaring deep into the left field stands for his 28th homer of the season. Scoring stayed there till Arizona tied it in the 6th. The Phillies immediately went back up 3-1, on a wild pitch, then a delayed double steal that scored Victorino. In the 7th, though, the Snakes got three, then tacked on another run in the 8th. The Phillies left two on in the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th, stranding a total of 16! Credit 2nd baseman Orlando Hudson of the D'backs with some nifty defense.
Pedro Feliz laid down a key sacrifice bunt in the 8th. Mike Cervenak of the IronPigs got his first major league at-bat in the 11th, lining out sharply. And once again the Phillies won a game started by Kyle Kendrick. It was a grind but they did it.
