PHILADELPHIA – Wilson Valdez went up to the plate looking for a sacrifice fly and got a lot more.
Cliff Lee threw seven impressive innings, Valdez hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat Arizona 9-2 Wednesday night to snap the Diamondbacks’ seven-game winning streak.
Lee (13-7) allowed two runs and three hits, striking out seven. The All-Star lefty has won four straight starts. Lee’s 18-inning scoreless streak ended when Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run homer for the NL West leaders.
Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff homer for the major-league leading Phillies, who’ve won 11 of 14 this month.
Diamondbacks starter Joe Saunders (8-10) pitched well before unraveling in the seventh. He gave up five runs and five hits in six-plus innings.
Hunter Pence walked to start Philadelphia’s seventh and advanced to third on John Mayberry Jr.’s single to right. Valdez followed with a double off the wall in straightaway center to put the Phillies up 4-2. Pinch-hitter Ben Francisco’s sacrifice fly extended the lead to 5-2.
“Anytime I get a chance to play, I want to do my best,” said Valdez, filling in for injured All-Star third baseman Placido Polanco.
Valdez flipped his bat as he ran toward first, seemingly thinking
Read More from the Article Source: Full Article
