By Matt Gelb, The Philadelphia Inquirer –
PHILADELPHIA — They wanted to dash from their seats, whether from the stands at Citizens Bank Park, at home watching on TV, or inside the Phillies’ dugout, to greet Carlos Ruiz. It was only the eighth inning Tuesday, and the Phillies were still three outs from another stunning comeback victory, but this place had energy again.
Jimmy Rollins couldn’t resist. He hurried up the steps, locked arms with Ruiz, and the catcher was pounded by his teammates as he descended. They believe again, after a 7-6 victory thanks to the hapless Milwaukee bullpen, marking three consecutive dramatic wins.
(PHOTO: Philadelphia Phillies’ Carlos Ruiz easily tags out Milwaukee Brewers’ Norichika Aoki in the first inning on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. )
The narrative of this charmless season has reached a crucial point. The team’s superstar pitcher is negotiating one of the largest contracts ever offered. Six days remain until the July 31 trade deadline, and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is tasked with the unenviable decision of whether to sell or buy.
Long deficits still face these Phillies in both the divisional and wild-card races. There is, however, optimism that with a full roster at its disposal, this team could play to its expected potential. There may not be enough time.
For now, the Phillies will enjoy this ride. Much of the crowd stood for the eighth inning, when the Phils drew three two-out walks to load the bases. Ruiz mashed a double to the gap that cleared the bases. Hunter Pence deposited a ball to short right field that scored Ruiz for the Phillies’ first lead of the night.
No one sat when Jonathan Papelbon made quick work of Milwaukee with a 10-pitch ninth inning. This season’s loudest chants of “Let’s Go Phillies!” serenaded the players.
Even before another thriller, optimism permeated the Phillies clubhouse, where confidence has been tested no matter the public message. The manager has insulted his team more than once. This time, Charlie Manuel spoke proudly before a familiar script unfolded.
“The last two games we won proved we’re better,” Manuel said.
The late innings Tuesday atoned for a clunker by Cliff Lee, who was crushed for four home runs and six runs in seven innings. After the fourth bomb, Manuel emerged from the dugout, and a smattering of boos greeted Lee on his sprint that would take him anywhere but the mound at Citizens Bank Park.
Lee, the Phillies’ highest paid player, is making $24 million in 2012. His ERA is 3.95 through 17 starts, and the Phillies are 4-13 when he pitches.
Three of the home runs were on the first pitch, bringing more credence to the idea he can sometimes become quite predictable with his pitch selection. The Brewers stabbed him with 12 hits in seven innings.
Zack Greinke, pitching for the first time in 11 days with a gaggle of scouts watching every move, all but assured his exit to a contending team. He dazzled for seven innings and retired the final 14 batters he faced.
One of the monster shots came on a Greinke swing. The pitcher sprinted around the bases, and as he approached third, he slowed for emphasis. There have been 12 home runs hit by pitchers in the majors this season. Four of them have come against the Phillies.
Greinke, like Cole Hamels, is a valued commodity on the trade market. But Milwaukee is trying to keep him. And scouts were dubious of the team’s explanation that Greinke needed to rest for 11 days so he could “recharge his batteries.”
There was no doubting his elite status Tuesday.
The same could not be said for the Milwaukee bullpen, which is only slightly better than the beleaguered Phillies unit. Once Greinke exited, the eighth-inning rally began in earnest when Ty Wigginton singled and Erik Kratz swatted a pinch-hit home run to left to cut the deficit to three.
Brewers manager Ron Roenicke watched Manny Parra walk Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard before finally relenting. His replacement, Kameron Loe, surrendered Ruiz’s decisive hit.
That ignited a frenzy in South Philadelphia, and possibly a few more people awoke Wednesday believing.
