Howard Lifts Phillies To 4-2 Win Over Diamondbacks
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard homered in his second game since a three-game benching and scored the go-ahead run on an overturned call at the plate in the Philadelphia Phillies' 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.
With the score 2-2 in the sixth, Howard walked with two outs against Vidal Nuno (0-2). Marlon Byrd popped up to short right field, where second baseman Didi Gregorius backpedaled slowly, settled under the ball and allowed it to kick off his glove and bounce toward center.
Ender Inciarte picked up the ball and threw to the plate, where Montero was blocking Howard's path, grabbed the throw on the fly and tagged the runner as Howard tried to get around him on the infield side.
Umpire Dale Scott signaled out, but after a review of 2 minutes, 55 seconds, Howard was ruled safe because Montero blocked the plate before he grabbed the throw, a violation of an experimental rule put in place this season.
Howard hit a two-run homer in the first, his 16th of the season but second since June 19. He is 3 for 8 since his benching.
Philadelphia added a run in the eighth when left fielder David Peralta dropped Ben Revere's fly to the warning track, and Montero was given an error for dropping shortstop Nick Ahmed's throw and allowing Wil Nieves to score.
Roberto Hernandez (5-8) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings. He had been 0-5 in seven home starts since beating Washington 1-0 on May 4.
Jonathan Papelbon pitched a two-hit ninth for his 25th save in 28 chances.
Nuno, making his fourth start since he was acquired from the New York Yankees, gave up four runs — three earned — four hits and three walks in 6 2-3 innings.
Nick Ahmed doubled in a run for Arizona in the second, and Paul Goldschmidt hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
NOTES: Arizona's Aaron Hill didn't play after being hit on the right hand on Saturday night. ... Arizona first-base coach Dave McKay wasn't with the team in order to attend the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for Tony La Russa. McKay served on La Russa's staff for 27 straight seasons. . RHP Chase Anderson (6-4, 3.58) starts for Arizona on Monday in the opener of a three-game series at Cincinnati, which starts RHP Homer Bailey (8-5, 4.22). . Philadelphia starts RHP A.J. Burnett (6-9, 3.86) in the opener of a three-game series at the New York Mets, who start RHP Bartolo Colon (9-8, 4.03).
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