Chase Utley hit a grand slam and solo homer in his return to Philadelphia as the Los Angeles Dodgers battered the Philadelphia Phillies 15-5 on Tuesday night. Utley doffed his helmet and waved to the crowd, and when he tried to step to the plate, fans continued their ovation. Two innings later, he reappeared beneath a ballcap and some facial stubble, exuding a Matthew McConaughey-like brand of cool in a pose from the team’s 2006 Charity Calendar. “Then for Chase to come back and do what he did tonight, hopefully he’s done doing that, but that’s just the kind of player he is, and just the kind of guy he is”.
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Thanks to a win today, the Dodgers remain in first place as they are 1.5 games ahead of the Giants. But on this night, pennant races and practical concerns took a backseat to a heartfelt reunion. He did it in his first game back as an opponent with a solo home run in the fifth inning and a grand slam that capped an eight-run seventh.
“It’s completely overwhelming”, Utley said. It was truly special.
Receiving a standing ovation from the Philadelphia faithful, the Pasadena, California native known as “The Man”, a nickname given by late broadcaster Harry Kalas, surely made his return memorable. It was probably one of the most nervous at-bats I’ll ever have at any level. “The standing ovation before my first at-bat was something that I’ll never forget, to be honest with you”.
The curtain calls came after a raucous introduction of Utley when he stepped to the plate to leadoff the game. Tomas has eight home runs in 10 games and has hit safely in 16 of his last 18 starts, with 23 RBIs over that span.
The loudest ovation for the 37-year-old, who spend 13 of his first 14 Major League Baseball seasons in Philadelphia, came when he stepped into the batter’s box for his first at-bat.
Beyond the numbers, Utley played the game with a Derek Jeter-like field awareness and a sense of his surroundings that Philadelphia fans hold near and dear.
In the opener, Trevor Cahill (2-3) came off the disabled list to throw five innings of two-hit ball in his first start in almost 16 months.
DETROIT – Second baseman Ian Kinsler caught a line drive by Mookie Betts for the final out with runners on second and third, and Detroit snapped Boston’s six-game winning streak. Utley also watched strike three, a fastball, blow by him at 94 miles per hour to end his first at-bat. “I tried to downplay it as much as possible, but it’s been something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time”. “To me, that’s a true compliment”. There were signs throughout the ballpark welcoming Utley back.
The Phillies rallied with the help of Ryan Howard, who hit a solo homer of his own in the fourth. For the second night in a row, another Dodger has a multi-home run game.
Stripling, though, would’ve liked to have gone deeper with a lead. Joc Pederson reached base four times and Corey Seager three, each part of another solid offensive show from the Dodgers.
“That’s a game that leaves a sour taste”, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. “I’m happy he’s playing well”.
Utley is all about style and substance.
Reds 6, Marlins 3: Tucker Barnhart’s grand slam is the hit that matters most for the Reds.
Howard led off the bottom of the inning with his 19th homer of the season, a booming shot to centre, to move into a tie with Carlton Fisk for 75th all-time with his 376th career home run.
When asked if the second trot was the fastest of his career, Utley shrugged.
“As players we just try to play the game as it’s supposed to be played, but I think it was something bigger tonight”, Howard said. “Maybe you can check Statcast”.
Even though he’s slumped at times, Mackanin believes Utley has been a factor in the Dodgers’ success this year.
“It was against us, so it was a little bittersweet”, Utley said. “They motivated us and pushed us in the right direction”. The fans made us better players individually and gave us a chance to win on a daily basis.
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“I should be thanking them”.
