The Dodgers now lead the National League West by 1½ games, their largest lead in the division since April 26. Utley was traded to the Dodgers last August 19 for a pair of minor leaguers, a deal completed late at night, well after a Phillies game concluded.
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“I just continue to do the things that are working”, said Gonzalez, who had an epidural in early May to deal with back problems.
Grandal’s one-out solo homer off the scoreboard in right in the fourth inning made it 4-1. Justin Turner led off with a single to right and Josh Reddick followed him up with a walk.
Gonzalez made it 7-2 with his two-run shot off Ramos in the seventh. Twelve games remain between now and the roster expansion that will surely bring sweet, sweet relief to a bullpen that’s been ridden sternly for the better part of this season, and it would be nice to have a starter go at least six between now and then.
In Detroit, Danny Duffy allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings and Kansas City hit four homers.
“I didn’t really have an opportunity to say goodbye”, Utley said.
In Baltimore, Mookie Betts homered twice and drove in five runs, helping resurgent Boston beat the Orioles for its fifth straight victory.
Utley spent time before the game signing autographs for fans along third base side of the field and caught up with a few teammates, including Ryan Howard, in the outfield between sprints.
Howie Kendrick went 4-for-5 with a two-run homer for the Dodgers, and Yasmani Grandal went 3-for-4 with a two-run shot. And to see those fans do the once impossible to fathom – cheering an opponent that was kicking their rear ends in.
“Finally I feel like the offense is catching up to the pitching staff”, Turner said. But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts keeps running him out there in the leadoff spot because of what Roberts calls his consistently good “at-bat quality”.
The Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman was back in town Tuesday to face his former Philadelphia Phillies for the first time since getting traded last summer.
Second baseman Cesar Hernandez picked up his third home run of the season and the fifth of his four-year career with a one-out line drive home run to right in the sixth, which cut the Phillies’ deficit to three runs.
“It was against us, so it was a little bittersweet”, Utley said. “When you’re facing a lineup like those guys have that’s not a very good place to be”.
KYW’s Matt Leon spoke with Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer about several topics including Utley’s return and Jake Thompson.
With the ovation going strong, Utley stepped out, tapped his chest and again waved to the fans before Vince Velasquez began the game with a called strike, which was booed. He is almost as synonymous with the Phillies as Jimmy Rollins, and he played his first game in Philly as a visitor this evening. Well, except when giving a speech to celebrate the Phillies’ 2008 World Series title.
NOTES: Phillies RHP Aaron Nola was moved from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL before the game, effectively ending his season.
The Dodgers will start veteran left-hander Scott Kazmir tonight. he is 9-6 with a 4.44 ERA.
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The Phillies announced Wednesday that Nola was replaced on the 40-man roster by RHP Frank Herrmann, while Elvis Araujo was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
