Chase Utleys Tenth-Inning Triple Propels Phils to .500

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It wasn’t pretty, but so far the Phillies are taking care of
business in Miami. The Fightins outlasted the hapless Marlins 3-1 on Friday
night thanks in part to Chase Utley’s game-winning, tenth-inning triple into
the right-field corner. Afterwards, Utley put himself in the optimist’s corner.

Via Jim Salisbury:

 “It’s going to be a
fun summer,” Utley said. “I like our squad. We’ve improved offensively and our
pitching staff is good. I think we’ll continue to improve on all that.”

Whether he meant to include himself in that statement or
not, Utley is one of the upgrades on offense. The second baseman hasn’t been
able to impact a game in the month of April since 2011, but seems to be making
up for lost time. The RBI was his tenth this season, tied for third in the
National League.

[ Watch Utley’s second triple of 2013 ]

Domonic Brown sliced an RBI double down the line in the
sixth inning, while Michael Young tacked on another run in the tenth.

Even against the punchless Marlins lineup – moreso than usual
without All-Star Giancarlo Stanton – Philly’s pitching staff deserves much
credit as well. John Lannan held Miami to one run through six innings, while
Antonio Bastardo, Mike Adams, Phillippe Aumont, and Jonathan Papelbon each threw
one frame of shutout ball.

With their third-straight victory the Phillies are back to .500 for the first
time this season. Given the current state of the Marlins franchise – their
record dropped to 1-9 – not to mention Cole Hamels will be dialed in looking
for his first win on Saturday, this might be shaping up to be a productive
series.

>>
Upbeat Utley gives Phillies 10-inning win over Marlins [CSN]

>> BOX SCORE [ESPN]

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