Ibanez ends Rhodes’ streak as Phillies down Reds
Published 1:58 am Wednesday, June 30, 2010
CINCINNATI — Arthur Rhodes’ record-tying streak couldn’t survive a determined rally by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Raul Ibanez ended the left-hander’s streak of scoreless appearances with a run-scoring double in the 10th inning Tuesday night, sending Philadelphia to a soothing 9-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
The day started badly for the Phillies, who put half of their starting infield on the disabled list. It got worst when Joey Votto hit a tying, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth off Brad Lidge (1-0), leaving the game in the hands of Cincinnati’s best reliever.
Rhodes (2-2) had allowed only one run all season, way back on April 10. Since then, he had made 33 straight scoreless appearances, matching the major leagues’ season record.
“You hate to see Arthur’s streak end like that,” manager Dusty Baker said. “He was facing some tough hitters. All good things must come to an end.”
It ended fast. Rhodes faced four batters and didn’t retire any of them.
“It’s over,” Rhodes said. “Now I’ve got to start another one.”
Ryan Howard started Philadelphia’s rally with a leadoff double, a hint that things had turned for Rhodes. Jayson Werth walked, and Ibanez doubled off Drew Stubbs’ glove at the wall in center to put the Phillies back in control.
“It would have been a tough game for us to lose,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “It was a good win, a tremendous win.”
Philadelphia put third baseman Placido Polanco and second baseman Chase Utley on the disabled list before the game, a stunning setback for the defending NL champs. The Phillies aren’t sure how long they will be out.
Polanco aggravated a troublesome left elbow on Friday. The Phillies sent him back to Philadelphia for tests to see if a bone spur is causing the lingering problems. Utley sprained his right thumb while sliding into second base on Monday night and returned to Philadelphia to see a specialist.
For one night, their fill-ins did fine.
Wilson Valdez started at second base for the first time this season and hit his third homer, a three-run shot off well-rested rookie Mike Leake. He also drove in a run on a fielder’s choice in the 10th, matching his career high with four RBIs.
“Just take it one by one,” Valdez said. “It’s kind of tough right now, but we’ve just got to play the game the right way.”
Brian Schneider also had a three-run homer off Leake, who had his last turn skipped to cut down on his innings. The 22-year-old has thrown 95 1-3 innings — the most by any NL rookie — prompting the Reds to skip his turn last week.
Pitching for the first time in eight days, Leake left several pitches right down the middle. He gave up seven hits and six runs in six innings. In his last four starts, Leake is 0-2 with a 6.85 ERA.
Joe Blanton gave up three runs in 7 2-3 innings, and the Phillies turned it over to a closer who had blown only one save this season.
Lidge started the ninth and got the first two outs. He walked Brandon Phillips, then gave up a single by Orlando Cabrera and Votto’s tying homer deep to center, his 17th. J.C. Romero pitched the 10th for his third save in four tries.
“That’s our team,” Blanton said. “That was great to see. That’s the Phillies — battle back against a tough pitcher and good things happen.”
Manuel was ejected by plate umpire C.B. Bucknor for arguing a ball-and-strike calls from the dugout during the winning rally in the 10th. Bucknor motioned that Manuel bumped his forehead with the brim of his cap while he complained.
“I was screaming at him because he kept saying the ball was not low,” Manuel said. “But the ball was low. He called some bad ones all night.”
NOTES: The Phillies called up INF Brian Bocock and Greg Dobbs from Triple-A. … Reds 3B Scott Rolen got a day off. … Leake went 1 for 3 with a single. He’s batting .379, hitting safely in eight of his 14 starts. … Votto singled in his first at-bat, extending his streak to 37 consecutive games reaching base safely. It’s the longest by a Red since Pete Rose reached in 48 straight in 1978, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.