Thunder and lightning

After waiting out a nasty electrical storm for two hours, the Phillies bats thundered back to beat the Braves 12-10 for a much-needed series win.

It was sort of neat watching the lightning and hearing the thunder from a distance - not so much when it forced us to squeeze in with thousands trying to find the few dry spots in the 300 level. (Citizens Bank Park doesn't provide much coverage in the upper level during the rain.)

The thunder started exactly when the Braves scored their first run in the 1st. The lightning started in the middle of the first when the scoreboard played its Peco Power plays. During the delay, they showed some of the Arena Bowl. (The Philly Soul won).

Enough about the weather - there was a pretty electric game on the field. All week I felt bad that I labeled Joe Blanton a sucky Phillies pitcher after only one start, especially since there were some bad calls and he had a long layoff between starts. No excuses today for giving up two first inning runs. He settled down in the 2nd, helped by nice plays from Eric Bruntlett and Pat Burrell, before he was lifted after the rain delay.

Play resumed in the bottom of the 2nd, and Blanton's replacement didn't get a warm greeting when he was announced as a pinch hitter. But Adam Eaton walked to load the bases, leaving the boos for Jimmy Rollins, who struck out to end the inning. Eaton, helped by the first of three Phillies double plays, pitched a pretty decent 3rd inning. But in the 4th, he gave up two homers, putting the Braves up 5-0. The crowd, which was serenading left fielder Gregor Blanco, changed its tune from "You suck Blanco" to "You suck Eaton." Pitching coach Rich Dubee huddled with the infielders to determine whether Eaton sucks. They decided he does.

It felt like it was going to be an awful game, but the Phillies offense returned for the second straight day in the bottom of the 4th. Chris Coste hit a two-run homer. So Taguchi got another pinch hit, and Jimmy Rollins walked before Shane Victorino hit a three-run homer to tie it up. Pat Burrell hit a solo shot in the 5th to help the Phils take the lead. That inning ended when Chris Coste scorched one back to former Red Sox Julian Tavarez, who snared the liner between his legs.

The Phillies appeared to blow it open by scoring five more in the 6th, capped by Jayson Werth's two-run homer. But there was a scare before that. On a single by Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino was about to be thrown out at the plate, but he hit Brian McCann hard enough to knock the ball loose and leave the catcher unconscious. (He should be OK.) Victorino stayed by home plate, and the crowd gave McCann a cheer as he walked off the field. In the 7th, Jimmy Rollins hit a solo homer, putting the Phillies up 12-5 in an apparent laugher. But Rudy Seanez didn't get the joke, and in the 8th, he gave up four runs while recording only one out. Ryan Madson allowed one more before ending the inning, giving Brad Lidge another save opportunity, which he converted.

Observations from the stands: Wags the Dog made an appearance promoting an upcoming Wiggles show at the Spectrum. It was like the Phillies were taunting us that Elvis wasn't on the field (I'll get to that in a minute). ... Also appearing pre-game for some reason was Miss Philadelphia Brintha Vasagar. ... The anthem was done by Philly's own Ron Ali. Never heard of him. He had a nice baritone voice, but took a little long. ... The Orioles finally won on a Sunday. ... When things looked bad for the Phillies, I heard my first E-A-G-L-E-S chant of the season at the park. Why? ... Blanco acknowledged the fans who jeered him all game. ... Right after the 4th when Victorino hit his three-run homer to tie the game, he was on the scoreboard wishing the fans a happy birthday. What can't the man do? (This, too, I'll explain further in a minute.) ... If there's something Shane can't do, the Phanatic's friend from Gotham City, who looks like Batman, is here to help.

The game before the game: We were at the game way too early. I wanted to get Christine a jersey, but their women's selection is awful unless you want pink, green or some other non-Phillies color. People: Make jerseys just like the players wear, but in sizes women wear. What's the problem?

Walking to our seats, we heard them announce the Phillies father-children game. We had no idea this was scheduled for today. We rushed to our section, knowing that this means Elvis, Burrell's bull dog, is in the house. At least he was in past years, but there was no sign of him today. The kiddies won a lot to nothing. (They don't keep score and the pros didn't get their at-bats.) Kolt Myers knocked a few off his pop, just like the rest of the league. I was surprised that Eaton's little daughter wasn't booed during introductions. If this were held post-game, I bet she would have been. Victorino did most of the pitching, but he wasn't too tired to be the star of the real game. In addition to knocking out McCann, he brushed back his son in the exhibition game.

Red Sox: They're up 7-2 in the 5th, trying to avert a sweep by the Yankees. Manny Ramirez, who's apparently tired of getting paid nearly $20 million per year and winning championships, decided to play well tonight.