Rupp’s 4 RBIs lead the Phillies past the Padres, 5-4

Clemens began the game with his usual No. 47 but was asked to switch his jersey by the umpires because it had pine tar on it.

“That will be something I look back on and really remember”, Stripling said.

Clemens switched to No. 91 with “Player” in the nameplate.

The snafu got chuckles from teammates, including right-hander Jon Edwards, who taped over the name on his own jersey with “Player #2”. After recording an out in the fifth, Clemens was pulled.

Clemens also slammed his bat down and lightly jogged to first base after a failed bunt attempt.

Clemens said he was upset that Thompson went up-and-in on him on the pitch.

Ichiro Suzuki grounded out in his first try at 3,000 hits and the Miami Marlins, despite a 504-foot home run by Giancarlo Stanton, lost to the Colorado Rockies 12-6 on Saturday night. “I was more concerned with what transpired between me and the pitcher more so than the game”. He was a key part of last year’s trade of Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers. He had four strikeouts and hasn’t won since June 23. He took the loss after giving up two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five.

In the top of the 6th, Rupp again got to Friedrich, drilling an RBI double to score Franco, who had singled with one out, to make it a 4-2 game.

After Myers homer had made it a 5-4 game, Jeanmar Gomez came on to close things out for the Phillies in the 9th inning. Ryan Schimpf added a sacrifice fly for a 6-3 edge. Howard came around on Freddy Galvis’ groundout, making it 4-3.

A victory was certainly there for the taking even with the Padres’ three errors tying a season-high.

Alexei Ramirez homered off Hellickson with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the 7th, cutting the Phillies lead to 4-3 and ending the night for the Phils’ starter, who was replaced by Edubray Ramos.

Thompson whirled to second for the second out and Galvis threw to first to complete an easy double play. “It’s obvious he has good stuff, but he just lacked command”. He last pitched on opening day.

Ortiz made his first start this season at first base and had two nice catches, but didn’t do much at the plate.

Aaron Altherr opened the inning with a single and was safe at second on Maikel Franco’s grounder.

Paul Clemens will take the mound for the Padres and is doing his level best to make an impression while in the starting rotation. He fanned two batters in the short outing.