fight night

The battle between first-place teams in San Francisco turned into a literal fight on Friday night. In the sixth inning of what would be a 9-2 Philadelphia win, the Giants’ Ramon Ramirez hit Shane Victorino squarely in the back with a fastball. Victorino, who had homered earlier in the game, started towards the mound but was cut off by Giants catcher Eli Whiteside. The former Delta State star then tackled (sort of) the Phillies’ Placido Polanco as both benches, bullpens and clubhouses emptied. It was a wild scene; even Phillies coach Sam Perlozzo, the old Jackson Mets manager, was caught up in the middle of the giant scrum. Ramirez, Victorino and Whiteside — who hit his fourth homer of the year Friday — were ejected. Suspensions are sure to follow. The Phillies have won the first two games of the four-game series, which continues today with Cole Hamels facing Matt Cain. Weir’s Roy Oswalt is slated to come off the disabled list and go Sunday for Philly. This is compelling stuff.
P.S. Ole Miss product Lance Lynn notched his first career save Friday in hair-raising fashion for St. Louis. He gave up two walks and a hit in the ninth before ending the Cardinals’ 3-2 win over Florida with a punchout of Marlins slugger Mike Stanton.