Roy Halladay was not going to be overlooked on a day he pitches. Not even for rookie phenom Domonic Brown’s debut. He tossed another complete game as Brown, Jayson Werth, and the rest of the offense backed him up in the Phillies’ 7-1 win. It was their seventh straight win and 10th straight at home.
Halladay went the distance for the eighth time this season. He allowed his only run in the ninth inning when Brown dove for the ball and missed resulting in an RBI double for Kelly Johnson. Halladay went on to strike out nine while allowing a run on six hits and no walks.
Brown went 2-for-3 in his debut with two RBIs and two runs scored. In his first at-bat, Brown ripped an RBI double off the top of the right field wall to give the Phils a 1-0 lead. He later scored in the inning. Werth went 3-for-4 with two doubles and Carlos Ruiz doubled twice and drove in three runs.
Brown received a loud ovation when his name was announced in the starting line up and then received a standing ovation when he stepped up to the plate in the second inning after Werth’s lead-off double. The lanky 6’5″ left-hander ran the bases well and played with a huge smile on his face. It was evident he was playing on pure adrenaline all night and was soaking in every moment.
“This is the best day of my life,” Brown said before the game. “I’ve been playing baseball since I was three years old. I’ve tried to stay humble through the years and just prepared every day by working hard. To get here to the Major Leagues, well, it’s just the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
The Phillies remained 3.5 back of the Braves with their 3-1 win over Washington. They also remain 2.5 games back of the Giants for the wild card. They go for the second straight sweep tomorrow and third in their own park. Kyle Kendrick will look to ride the momentum of his latest quality start.
2B: Werth 2 (34), D. Brown (1), Ibanez (21), Ruiz 2 (14).
WP: Halladay (12-8). LP: E. Jackson (6-10).
TTB 