Diamondbacks 2, Phillies 4

The offense got things started in the best possible way, with Gerardo Parra homering to lead off the bottom of the first, followed by a Didi Gregorius triple. It threatened to be a big inning, but it took some agile base-running by Gregorius, escaping a run-down, and a two-out hit from A.J. Pollock, to get a second run across for Arizona. That would be all they would manage off the Phillies' Kyle Kendrick, who went seven innings.

On the other side, Brandon McCarthy was having far and away the best start of his career with the Diamondbacks. He was keeping the ball down, being efficient and the defense were making the plays behind him. In eight innings, he scattered seven hits (all singles), but walked none and struck out five. At that point, he had only thrown 88 pitches, and in the light of subsequent events, there will be a lot of discussion as to whether his fate should have been left in his own hands.

Instead, Gibson went to the bullpen, and the Heath Bell Experience failed miserably. He allowed four hits, including two doubles, and the two-run lead evaporated. Brad Ziegler bailed him out with a one-pitch, but in the top of the 10th, Matt Reynolds fared little better, giving up two more runs on four hits of his own. That ended two streaks: his scoreless one, and the Diamondbacks' unbeaten record in extra innings this year - with the help of some highly dubious strikes from home-plate umpire (and, apparently like the rest of his crew, Phillies fan), Kerwin Danley. Gregorius doubled with two outs, but Martin Prado flew out to end a thoroughly aggravating afternoon.

azshadowwalker should be along with the guest recap in a bit. The series ends split 2-2, and tomorrow sees the Atlanta Braves coming to town. Nothing to see there, I'm sure...