Connecticut takes series finale

READING, Pa. -- When the ball left Mike Mooney’s bat in the eighth inning Monday, it appeared as though Phillies reliever Tyson Brummett had pitched out of serious trouble in a tie game.

Center fielder Quintin Berry kept drifting back as the ball continued to carry. Like one of those giveaway balls they shoot into the stands here between innings, the ball sailed over Berry’s head for a two-run double, the key hit in a 4-3 Defenders victory.

Brummett (3-8), recently moved to the bullpen to make room for Yohan Flande in the rotation, had walked two straight before getting the next batter on a flyout.

Then, with the center field flag blowing briskly to right-center, the light-hitting Mooney found a good stream and the lead held up.

The Phillies had the tying run on third with two out in the ninth, but righty closer Daniel Otero (15 saves) got pinch-hitter Kevin Mahar to ground out to second to give the series to the Defenders, who improved to an incredible 30-12 on the road.

Brian Stavisky and Neil Sellers had opened the inning with singles, moved up a base on Tuffy Goeswisch’s sacrifice, and Stavisky, who went 3-for-4, scored on Brad Harman’s deep fly to center to cut the lead to a run.

Kyle Drabek was solid in his seven innings of work, allowing two runs and seven hits. He struck out six, including the side in the first, and walked one. The Defenders put the leadoff hitter on in each of the first four innings, but Drabek escaped with just one run allowed during that span.

A Bobby Felmy solo home run with two out in the sixth tied the game. It was just the second home run allowed by Drabek at FirstEnergy Stadium, where he has made all seven of his appearances.

The Phillies didn’t have much luck against Defenders starter Brooks McNiven, who allowed two runs and four hits in five innings. Stavisky singled in runs in the first and third innings and at one point had three of the Phillies’ first five hits.

The Phillies (47-35) finished the homestand at 4-3 and head for Southern Division leader Akron, where they’ll play three games.

The Defenders improved to 48-34. The win went to Waldis Joaquin (3-4), the third of five pitchers used by Turner.

PHILLERS: The Defenders’ Brock Bond has reached base in 50 straight games. . . . Joe Savery was named Philadelphia Phillies organization Pitcher of the Month for June, when he was 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA in six starts. . . . Phillies first baseman Brian Stavisky turned 29 Monday. 

IBANEZ UPDATE: Raul Ibanez, making his first rehab start, played left field the first five innings, did not have any chances in the field, and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, a walk and a run scored in three at-bats.

He never really had to test the strained left groin that put him on the disabled list June 18. He went easily to second on a sac bunt following his leadoff walk in the third, ran easily to third on Michael Taylor’s groundout to the right side, and trotted home on Brian Stavisky’s single to right.

”It felt better than I ever expected,” Ibanez said about the injury. “I was moving around; it was pretty uneventful. I was very pleased with how it went.”

When it was mentioned he didn’t really have to test the injury, he said: “Every time somebody takes a swing you’re moving in the outfield. Back when I was playing (every day) I would move and I would feel it (hurting). Today I didn’t feel anything. I was grunting with pain for quite a while (back then).”

Ibanez, who was eligible to come off the DL last Friday, was unsure about his timetable for getting back with the big club. The plan appears to be another 7-10 at-bats, probably with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and then make a decision.

Ibanez, 37, was voted to his first All-Star Game. He was hitting .312 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs. The big club is 6-10 since he went on the DL.

“The first step is to keep progressing one step at a time,” he said about his possible availability for the All-Star Game. “I’m going to be smart about it. I’m going to try to stay on the field for the Phillies for the rest of the year.”

This story was posted on July 6, 2009