Franco's Slam Lifts Phillies Over Dodgers, 6-2
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Maikel Franco hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the seventh inning to spoil Jimmy Rollins' return to Philadelphia and lead the Phillies to a 6-2 victory over the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.
Rollins got a prolonged standing ovation in his first game in front of a crowd that rooted for the shortstop his first 15 seasons. The 2007 NL MVP finished 2 for 5.
Franco connected off reliever Joel Peralta to put resurgent Philadelphia ahead 5-1. The Phillies have the worst record (42-65) in the majors, but they are 13-3 since the All-Star break.
Jeanmar Gomez (1-2) allowed one run in 1 2-3 innings and Ken Giles got the final four outs for his third save since replacing Jonathan Papelbon. Giles struck out Rollins looking at a 100 mph fastball to leave runners on second and third in the eighth. Starter Jerome Williams allowed one run in five innings.
Alex Wood (7-7) gave up four runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings in his first start for the Dodgers since he was acquired from Atlanta last Thursday.
The Phillies appeared to take a 3-2 lead in the seventh when Carlos Ruiz raced home from second base when the ball slipped out of Wood's hand on his delivery to the plate. But the pitch was ruled a balk and Ruiz returned to third.
Odubel Herrera walked on the next pitch to load the bases. Franco then drove one into the seats in left field for his first career slam.
Rollins received a warm welcome in pre-game introductions and a louder ovation when he led off the game. He tipped his helmet to the crowd twice and got a pat on the back from catcher Ruiz. Phillies players stood and clapped in the dugout.
Rollins, who was traded last December, is the franchise's all-time hits leader and helped the Phillies capture the 2008 World Series title.
The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the third on Herrera's RBI double.
The Dodgers missed chances in the third and fourth. Wood led off the third with a single and Rollins followed with a ground-rule double down the right-field line. But Howie Kendrick bounced out to third, Adrian Gonzalez struck out and Andre Ethier grounded out to first.
They loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth, but Alex Guerrero struck out and Wood grounded into a double play.
Ethier's RBI single in the fifth tied it 1-1.
Pinch-hitter Carl Crawford had an RBI double for the Dodgers in the eighth. Domonic Brown hit an RBI single in the bottom half.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler, a first-round selection (24th overall) in the amateur draft in June, will have Tommy John surgery on Wednesday.
Phillies: 2B Chase Utley continued his rehab assignment at Double-A Reading. Utley has been sidelined since June because of an ankle injury.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: LHP Brett Anderson (5-6, 3.14) makes his first start since July 28 vs. Oakland. He lost his only start against the Phillies on July 7.
Phillies: RHP Aaron Harang (5-11, 3.97) goes for his second straight win after losing eight in a row. He's 4-7 in 13 career starts vs. the Dodgers.
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