Phillies Rally in 9th Win in Extras
By: Mike Reisman
Who would have guessed it. Coming back from a six run deficit in the ninth? Not possible. Lucky for Phillies fans, games like these are the games the Phillies live for.
Going into the ninth inning, it looked as though the Phillies' day would end in another disappointing loss. They had been down since the first inning when Jonny Gomes hit a three run jack getting the Reds' game started with a bang. From there it seemed like a typical Joe Blanton game, 5 earned runs in only 5.1 innings. The Phillies were able to score one run before the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Jayson Werth.
Then the ninth inning started.
The inning started with Shane Victorino getting a crucial double to put a run in scoring position with no outs. Next Raul Ibanez moved Victorino to third by way of pop out.
And thats when the magic started.
The next batter up was Ryan Howard who contributed with a single to bring home Shane Victorino. The Reds' six run lead was cut to five, however still no reason to panic for the surging team from Cincinnati. After Jayson Werth singled to left, the struggling Greg Dobbs got his only hit, and probably the team's most important hit of the night with a three run shot off the right field foul poll. This home run put the Phillies down by only two with only one out.
The Reds clearly saw a chance for the Phillies to come back as they pulled pitcher Mike Leake after 101 pitches. They brought in Francisco Cordero to close out against Brian Schneider. He did his job as Brian flew out. Now with their backs against the wall, the Phillies needed a base-runner just to stay alive. Lucky for them, Ben Francisco hit for Juan Castro, and was able to draw a walk. Next up was the recently called up Cody Ransom. Ransom had been called up to help fill the hole Chase Utley left after becoming injured.
He filled the hole all right.
Ransom hit a two run home run to tie the game and give the Phillies new life. After Ryan Madson set down the Reds in order, the Phills had a chance to finish the game off, and they jumped at that chance. The bottom of the tenth started with a Raul Ibanez double. So with no outs and a runner on second, in stepped the dangerous Ryan Howard. With a 2-1 count, Ryan showed why he is an all-star.
He hit a low and inside pitch deep to left field and all of a sudden, the game was over. During the game, Howard said to manager Charlie Manuel that if the team could hold the Reds in the ninth he believed they could win the game.
He was right.
After the game Manuel said that these are the games that show why you play all nine innings. This statement not only shows true for this game, but also last game where the Phillies won in twelve innings.
Don't speak to soon, but it seems as though if the Phillies can keep up this type of play, they may be able to come out of this drought and get back on top of the NL East.