Darin Ruf hit a solo home run in the eighth inning of today’s game to complete an improbable sweep of the division leading Atlanta Braves. It was the team’s first sweep since the beginning of June.
Cole Hamels was again just oh-so-good. He went eight innings, gave up two hits, two walks, and two runs. He also struck out nine Braves, and they weren’t all B.J. Upton. (He struck out just once.) Both of the runs, and for that matter hits, came on home runs. One of those was served up to Evan Gattis, who once worked at a grocery store or zoo or something. Gattis, seemingly taking out all of his frustration of years operating a ski lift, crushed a ball 486 feet to put the Braves on the board in the second inning.
Sep 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Darin Ruf (18) celebrates hitting a home run with third base coach Juan Samuel (8) during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
He would later tie the game, 2-2, in the seventh on another solo home run, again calling on his bison strength he inherited from his mother who was a bison, hence why he once worked at Yellowstone National Park. It was the only way he could be close to his mother.
The next inning is when Ruf, notable bison hater, put the Phillies ahead for good. B.J. Rosenberg came in for the 9th inning and earned the save throwing only nine pitches and giving up no hits. Rosenberg has struck out 10, given up four hits, and allowed zero runs in his 9 2/3 innings since being called up last month. Rosenberg has never been to Yellowstone National Park.
The Phillies next game is Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. Maybe more heroics are in store for Ruf, as it is Bark in the Park Night. Got me dog?