Oh, what a little good health can do for you. Jimmy Rollins is moving better, looking better, swinging better. Last night he was a double shy of the cycle. He scored the tying run in the third, then put the Phillies ahead in the fourth with a three-run jack into the right field seats. He also stole two bases. All in all, vintage Jimmy Rollins.
Chase Utley hit the ground-out that scored that first run, then got two hits with that sweet swing of his. Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz joined the J-Roll triple parade. Ross Gload--watch that groin--made everyone hold their breaths as he legged out an infield single. He also made another sharp play at first.
The cherry on top came in the 8th, with the Phillies leading 7-2. Pinch-hitter Domonic Brown blasted a solo shot into the second deck in right field--and got a well-deserved curtain call for it.
Joe Blanton was on the mound and finally looking something like his old self. After giving up a lead-off run to Angel Torres, he settled down and was solid. The only other run he allowed was another solo shot, to Pat Burrell, who has quickly become a footnote to the series. Blanton left in the 7th, with one out and two on, but Chad Durbin, in on relief, got a doubleplay ball to end the threat. That was that for the Giants. The Phillies, meanwhile, are starting to look healthy.
