Ke$ha, rain, fans trying to climb into the tarp tubing and a visit by Shane Victorino. Those were the highlights of the Phils 4-1 win over Arizona on a wet Thursday night.
The Phillies became the first team this season to 80 wins. They hold an 8.5 lead in the division still, bringing their magic number down to 31.
The Phillies win was wet, wild and very very long. The Phillies carried a 3-0 lead into the 2 hour, 17 minute rain delay which featured some nonconventional highlights. Victorino, who is not permitted in the dugout or clubhouse during game time as stipulations during his suspension, visited the wonderful beat writers in the press box during the delay. Matt Gelb (Inquirer) and Todd Zolecki (MLB.com) among others reported Victorino was banging on the press box windows to get fans attention, waving at them.
Not all the fun and excitement happened indoors. A fan ran out onto the field during the delay and tried to dive into the tubing that the tarp is rolled out on. He almost made it in before security grabbed him by the ankles and pulled him out.
Prior to the game, talentless singer Ke$ha visited the Phillies clubhouse, taking pictures with some of the players. Gelb later tweeted during the delay how awful her lyrics were and left his brain in worse condition than a night of drinking.
Oh yea, there was baseball played too. John Mayberry, getting the start in center field while Victorino served the first of his two-game suspension, had himself another good game. He took advantage of the playing time, ripping a two-run homer off the left field foul poll in the 3rd inning.
Vance Worley was tremendous through three innings of work before the delay. He allowed a hit and struck out two. David Herndon got the look in the start-up in the 4th. He threw three fantastic innings, allowing only a hit and striking out four.
Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez had good games as well. Utley doubled with an RBI and had a two-hit game and Ibanez stroked two doubles, driving in a run.
Ross Gload got the start at first for Ryan Howard, going 0-for-3. Howard’s hand is fine and Charlie Manuel decided to give his star slugger a day off.
2B: Ibanez 2 (25), Valdez (10), Utley (16). HR: Mayberry (10).
WP: Herndon (1-2). LP: Kennedy (15-4). S: Madson (23).
TTB 