Pence comes through as Phillies rally past Dodgers

Halladay lasted five innings in his return from the disabled list and Pence,
who was 1-for-18 over his previous five contests, grounded the go-ahead two-
run single with two outs in the eighth inning in a 3-2 triumph over the Los
Angeles Dodgers.

Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Halladay, who was out since late May
due to a right lat strain, would be limited to around 80 pitches. That’s
exactly how many the two-time Cy Young Award winner threw, 55 of which
were for strikes. Halladay had six strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter,
while allowing five hits, including four in a row during a two-run second
inning for the Dodgers.

Chase Utley knocked in the other run for the Phillies, who have won seven in a
row at Dodger Stadium. It’s also the first time in 39 games this season the
Phillies won when trailing after seven innings.

Stephen Fife lasted six innings in his major league debut and gave up four
hits and a run while walking three.

James Loney and Luis Cruz each singled in runs during the second, but the
Dodgers suffered their seventh loss in eight games.

After Halladay departed, Michael Schwimer, Jeremy Horst, Kyle Kendrick (3-8)
and Antonio Bastardo held down the fort. Jonathan Papelbon retired the side in
order in the ninth for his 21st save.

The Phillies were denied of the tying run in the sixth inning when Ryan Howard
was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a Pence base hit. Two innings
later, Pence connected off Kenley Jansen to push them in front.

Ronald Belisario (3-1) hit by Howard and Carlos Ruiz with pitches, after Utley
started the two-out rally with a walk. Jansen was summoned from the bullpen,
but Pence grounded a hit to center field to send Utley and pinch-runner John
Mayberry to the plate. Ruiz was thrown out at third.

Pence is hitting .409 (9-for-22) with runner in scoring position since June
24.

The Phillies played small ball to manufacture a run in their first at-bat.
Jimmy Rollins hit the second pitch of the game down the right field line, and
he moved to third on Shane Victorino’s sacrifice bunt. Utley then grounded out
to first baseman James Loney for a run.

Halladay grounded out to strand a pair of runners in the second, and the
Dodgers put together four straight hits to start the bottom half to go in
front. Andre Ethier singled and Adam Kennedy doubled, before base hits from
Loney and Cruz gave LA the lead.

A.J. Ellis then lined into a double play, and Fife fanned to leave a runner at
third.

Great defense by the Dodgers prevented the Phillies from tying the game in the
sixth. Howard walked with one out and went to second on a wild pitch. With two
outs, Pence singled to center. Howard, who missed the first half of the season
while recovering from Achilles surgery, chugged around third, but Matt Kemp
threw a one-bounce strike to the plate. Howard’s right hand touched home, but
Ellis applied the tag to the right shoulder and home plate umpire Wally Bell
signaled out.

Game Notes

Fife was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque before the game. The Dodgers
opened a roster spot for the right-hander by placing pitcher Chad Billingsley
on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his pitching elbow …
Orlando Magic star center Dwight Howard, who is reportedly involved in trade
talks with the Lakers, attended the game and received a loud cheer when he was
displayed on the videoboard in the seventh inning … The Phillies opened a
spot for Halladay on the roster by sending pitcher Brian Sanches outright to
Triple-A Lehigh Valley … Halladay is four strikeouts of 2,000 for his
career.