Dodgers 4 - 0 Phillies
Final
  for this game

Dodgers blank Phils in Sandberg's debut

Aug 17, 2013 - 5:30 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies' bats were silenced in Ryne Sandberg's debut.

Zack Greinke outpitched fellow former AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee as the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers blanked the Phillies, 4-0, in the opener of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

The news before the game was Sandberg, the team's third base coach, replaced longtime manager Charlie Manuel on an interim basis.

Phillies management informed Manuel, the winningest skipper in team history, that his contract would not be renewed after the 2013 season. During his eight-plus years at the helm, the club won five consecutive NL East titles, two NL pennants and a World Series championship.

However, wins have been hard to come by of late for the Phillies, who have spiraled since the All-Star break. Friday's loss was the 20th in the last 24 games for Philadelphia.

General manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. made the change with the club's future in mind and said the move gives him, along with the rest of the front office, an opportunity to see if Sandberg, long believed to be Manuel's successor, is a valid managerial candidate.

"It was an emotional day for a lot of reasons. Some of the players have been with Charlie for nine years," Sandberg said. "It hit me emotionally. I had to get the wheels turning as far as managing. I almost ran out to third base."

The Dodgers, meanwhile, have been rolling. They notched their season-high ninth straight win and improved to a major league-best 41-8 since June 22.

Greinke (11-3) scattered three hits and walked four over 7 1/3 innings. He departed with two men aboard, and a walk by reliever Paco Rodriguez to Domonic Brown loaded the bases with two outs. Ronald Belisario, though, struck out Darin Ruf to preserve what was a three-run lead at the time.

"I'm just trying to do my job, and the bullpen has been incredible," Greinke said.

Scott Van Slyke, recalled from LA's Triple-A club in Albuquerque before the game, singled home Hanley Ramirez in the ninth.

Lee (10-6) lost his fourth straight decision after allowing three runs on five hits in eight innings.

Ramirez put the Dodgers on the board in the fourth when he followed a one-out single by Adrian Gonzalez with a two-run homer to left field.

Mark Ellis added a two-out, RBI double in the seventh.

Game Notes

Sandberg's previous role as third base coach has been filled by first base coach Juan Samuel. Assistant hitting coach Wally Joyner inherited Samuel's former duties ... The Phillies placed starting pitcher John Lannan on the 15- day disabled list with left knee tendinosis and recalled pitcher B.J. Rosenberg from Triple-A Lehigh Valley ... The Dodgers optioned infielder Dee Gordon to Albuquerque to clear a roster spot for Van Slyke.






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