Trail Of Tears: Philadelphia Phillies Demolish Cleveland Indians, 12-3

(6/24/10)

Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Phillies took advantage of a shoddy defense and a strong outing from Joe Blanton to dismantle the Cleveland Indians 12-3, sweeping their three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Joe Blanton (3-5) went 7.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out eight. Blanton was given plenty of run support as the Philles had 15 hits.

After a slow first inning, the Phillies put up big numbers in the second, scoring five runs on four singles.

Placido Polanco went 4-for-5 with two RBI, and Chase Utley went a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate with two runs scored to lead the Phillies’ attack.

After a rough second inning, Indians starter Fausto Carmona (6-6) rebounded, setting the Phillies down in order in the third and fourth before both teams added on runs in the fifth.

Cleveland’s first runs came on a one-out, two-run home run by ex-Phillies prospect, Jason Donald. Donald’s shot was his second of the season, and his first against the Phillies since he was dealt in the trade that brought Cliff Lee to Philadelphia at last season’s trade deadline.

The Phillies added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a Ryan Howard fielder’s choice that scored Placido Polanco, and a Jayson Werth single that plated Chase Utley.

After the Werth single, Indians manager Manny Acta sent Carmona to the showers. Carmona allowed seven runs on nine hits, without recording a strikeout.

No matter the pitcher, the Phillies hit, as they batted around on newly inserted Indian, Hector Ambriz, and charged him with four runs in the sixth inning, including a Dane Sardinha lead-off home run.

The four-run sixth inning made the score 12-2.

A late, unsuccessful Indian rally came in the eighth innings when Jason Donald led off the inning with a double, and one out later, Trevor Crowe launched a double to the left field corner, scoring Donald.

Nelson Figueroa, called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier, pitched 1.1 innings of hitless ball to close out the game for the Phillies.

The Phillies will be back in action on Friday as they open a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. The series will be played with AL rules because it will be moved from Toronto because of the G-20 Summit. The Phillies will play as the visitors and bat first.

Box Score


Game Notes: Ryan Howard blew his seven-game hitting streak by going 0-3… This is the Phillies’ first home sweep this season and their first interleague sweep since 2007.

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