Instead of a flying morgue the Phillies' charter flight across the continent should be a whole lot cheerier following their improbable comeback win against the Giants this afternoon.
Trailing Tim Lincecum in the bottom of the 9th, 4-1, the Phils managed to score three runs to send the game into extra innings where they scored one run in the tenth to go ahead, watched the Giants tie the game again in the bottom of the frame, scored two more in the eleventh only to watch the Giants score one more and finally held on for the win.
Instead of licking their wounds following a three-game sweep, the Phils took the finale to end their nine game road trip 4-5. Going into the ninth inning no one, least of all this skeptic, thought the Phils had the proverbial snow ball's chance against of the dominant pitchers in the game.
Cole Hamels started and looked sharp early on. Even when he was walking people he wasn't missing by much, but in the end it was a strange outing for him as he worked six innings, gave up four earned runs, nine hits, walked four and struck out ten. Hamels still is unable to put together a complete performance and I am not talking about nine innings.
Ryan Howard finally broke out of the longest home run drought of his career, hitting his first home run in weeks to give the Phils an early one run lead in the fifth. Other than that mistake Lincecum looked like his usual unhittable self, yielding only one more hit through 8 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out eleven. No way was he going to lose. Actually, he didn't take the loss.
Ryan Madson had the dubious distinction of getting the win but blowing the save. Now isn't that fitting for the way this team has been playing lately?!
1 comment:
When was the last time a Phils pitcher entered the 9th with a lead, and got the first 3 batters out to end the game? They NEVER do. They ALWAYS allow base runners or runs, and ALWAYS make it interesting. Why can't someone just come into the 9th with a lead, and just get 3 straight outs???
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