Somebody once said that truth is stranger than fiction. Tonight, the Phillies and the Astros proved this quote to be more than 100% true. The game started at 7:05 PM on August 24th, and would not end until 16 innings later at 12:27 AM on August 25th. That's 5 Hours and 22 Minutes later. But of course this was not your typical 16 inning ballgame. This was a game of comebacks, position playing pitchers and just about everything else possible in the sport of baseball.
The game started the way most of Cole Hamels' starts do, as a pitcher's duel. There were a total of four hits between both teams in the first three innings. However, the Astros delivered the game's first runs on a Carlos Lee home run to left scoring him and Hunter Pence. That would put the Phillies in a 2-0 hole. However, in the 6th, they would answer back with a Raul Ibanez double, which scored Jayson Werth. This would cut the lead for the Astros to one run.
Now this is where the craziness begins. The Phillies are down to their last out in the bottom of the 9th when Jimmy Rollins steps in. Of course they at this point are still down by one run so a homer would tie it or a base runner would put the go-ahead run at the plate. Jimmy chose option number one, smashing a homer to right field, tying the game at two.
So the game went into extra innings and Brad Lidge started the 10th and ended it very quickly. This put the Phillies 3-4-5 hitters up to see if they could end the game relativity quickly. However, the Phillies were only able to get one runner on base, and the inning would end without a walk-off.
Two main story lines in extra's were infield singles and double plays. In the 11th, the Phillies would get a crucial double play with runners on first and second with one out. In the 14th the Astros would ground into another double play with a runner on first. The infield singles would come later and play a huge part. Another enormous story line? Ryan Howard. In the 14th inning, the Phillies were able to get runners on first and second base with two outs, to bring up Ryan Howard. On the second pitch of the AB, third base umpire Scott Barry called a very questionable strike, saying Howard did not check his swing, angering Ryan. After the base runners advanced on a wild pitch, Howard was called out on another questionable call by Barry. At this point, Howard went off and was immediately ejected by Scott Barry. Howard would storm off towards the umpire, and was soon restrained by teammates.
So with Howard out who's the first baseman? Charlie Manuel moved Raul Ibanez, who has experience at first, over to first base, forcing him to put Roy Oswalt in left field. Roy is the first pitcher since 1971 to play a position, and when asked why he put Oswalt there, Charlie responded "Well he catches fly balls and stuff". Hey, if it works, whatever. And it did work, when on the first pitch a fly came towards Oswalt, and he got it. Ibanez would get some action too, making the third out on a diving grounder to his right.
The Phillies were unable to capitalize in their half of the 15th, so the Astros did in the 16th. Now at this point pitcher David Herndon is going into his third relief inning, a rare feat for him. There is a reason it's rare. Hunter Pence would get what else but an infield single (I told you they would be big) after Angel Sanchez grounded out to start the inning. The next batter, Herndon's fatigue would start to show, as he hit Brett Wallace putting runners on first and second with one out. Personally, at this point I would have taken out Herndon, however he was kept in by Charlie. The next at-bat, the runners were able to advance on a wild pitch. However David would stay in the game. After an intentional walk gave the Phillies a double play chance, Chris Johnson would hit a hard ball on the ground which would lead to an infield single, scoring the go-ahead run. The Astros would tack on another run on a fielder's choice, and the inning would eventually end with the Astros up 4-2.
Think the game was over there? Think again. After the first two batters were out to start the bottom of the 16th, Placido Polanco and Chase Utley, were walked bringing up Roy Oswalt who was forced to bat in Howard's spot. Oswalt would go into a quick 0-2 hole, but would fight his way to 2-2 count. Unfortunately 2-2 was not good enough and Oswalt would end the game, grounding out to third. Final score 4-2 in the Houston Astros favor. Finally.
Though you must give them credit for trying, this was a bad loss for the Phillies. Today they missed a chance to gain ground on the Braves who lost to the Rockies, and lost ground on the Giants who they are now tied with for the wild card lead. Later today the Phillies try to salvage the series with ace Roy Halladay facing former Phillie J.A Happ. This should be fun.