Mules maul Philly to take Game 2

Allentown exploded for 13 runs and Miles Mikolas quieted the Philly bats as the Mules crushed the Green Rage, 13-0, in Game 2 of their 1st round Wild Card series. The Mules grabbed a 2-0 series lead with Game 3 set in Philly.

No. 4 Allentown didn't need a lot of offense thanks to a a complete game shutout from Mikolas but got it anyway. Starter Zack Greinke couldn't get out of the 2nd inning for No. 5 Philly.

Max Muncy followed up an Ozzie Albies double with a long ball deep down the right field line for a 2-0 lead. D.J. After LeMahieu walked, Yadier Molina flied out, and LeMahieu took 3rd when 3B Scott Kingery misplayed an Ian Desmond grounder. With runners on the corners and two out, Greinke was delicate with Mike Trout before finally walking him to load the bases. Didi Gregorius stepped in and broke the game open with a grand salami, sending Greinke to the showers. Tayler Cole came on and got Manny Machado to end the inning with a grounder to short but the Mules were up 6-0 after 2.

Allentown threatened in the 4th, loading the bases with just one out on a single, walk and hit batter, but Cole got Gregorius and Machado to record outs to shortstop to keep the lead to 6. The Mules added 3 runs in the 6th. Cole issued a one-out walk to No. 9 hitter Ian Desmond and got the hook.

Corey Knebel came on in relief and Trout greeted him with a homer to center, making it 8-0. Manny Machado kept it going two batters later, lining a triple to left center, and scoring on David Dahl's double. Knebel finally got out of the inning by striking out Albies but Philly trailed 9-0 after 6 innings.

Knebel continued into the 7th but not very well. Muncy drew a leadoff walk and took 3rd when LeMahieu singled to right center. Molina struck out before Philly's defense phailed again. Gennett misplayed another Desmond grounder at 2B, allowing Muncy to score, making it 10-0. Trout then plated two more runs with a double deep down the right field line. Gregorius walked and that it was for Knebel's day.

Matt Grace came on in relief but couldn't shut the door. Trout advanced to 3rd on a flyout to center by Machado, then scored when Dahl singled up the middle for a 13-0 lead. Grace finally stopped the bleeding by getting Albies to ground out to 2nd, ending the 7th.

Philly never really threatened as Mikolas held the Green Rage in check. He surrendered a one-out single in the 5th and a balk advanced the runner but he struck out Scott Kingery to close the door. The 9th inning was about as close as Philly came to finding home plate. Michael Conforto drew a leadoff walk while pinch-hitting for Mitch Garver and Daniel Murphy flied out to left before Gennett grounded to 2nd, forcing Conforto. Joe Mauer then singled and Tony Kemp walked to load the bases. Down 13-0, Philly sent up Tommy Pham to pinch-hit for Jean Segura but he just grounded weakly to 3rd to end the game.

Trout and Gregorius each had 4 RBI to lead the Mules and Dahl added a team-high 3 hits while Desmond scored three times as did Trout. Allentown scored 13 runs on 12 hits and still stranded 7 runners. Philly had 2 errors and left 5 men on base. Mauer and Starling Marte each had 2 hits to account for Philly's offense.

Mikolas (1-0) scattered 4 hits over 9 innings with just 104 pitches (70 for strikes). He struck out 3 and walked 2. Greinke (0-1) went just 1 2/3 innings and allowed only 3 hits but got tagged for 6 runs, only 2 earned. He walked 2 and struck out 1. Cole did yeoman's work for the Philly pen, throwing 70 pitches over 3 2/3 innings. He allowed just 1 run on 2 hits, with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks. Knebel has a rough one inning of work: 5 hits, 6 runs (4 earned), 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.