phrustrated philly phan

What a game tonight. Both teams played with a playoff intensity and the crowd was into the game. Both teams understand the importance of this series and both teams left it all out on the field tonight. These are the kind of games you hate to lose and I know from experience. There were many highs and there was also some lows. This was an exciting game to watch and I am cursing myself for not going to the game. When you are fighting for a playoff spot, the only thing that matters is the outcome and tonight is was a win.

First a quick look at some of the negatives tonight. Ryan Howard committed his 13th error of the season on a line drive. The error was a loss of concentration. Pat Burrell struck out twice looking tonight on pitches that were clearly strikes. If he could learn to put more pitches in play it would invariably raise his average. Chase Utley had two strikeouts in extra innings during at bats were he needed to put the ball in play. I realize Chase can't be perfect so lets turn to the positives and the rest of the game.

The first seven innings flew by with not much of note besides an Edwin Encarncion disputed home run in the fourth. He added another in the sixth. The Phillies jumped on the scoreboard in the first on an RBI single from Pat Burrell scoring David Delluci. It started getting interesting in the eighth. Jimmy Rollins tied up the game on a 2-run homer that scored Shane Victorino. Chase Utley scored to take the 4-3 lead on a RBI triple from Pat Burrell. Jon Lieber pitched an effective seven plus innings surrendering 2 earned runs and only five hits. The Phillies need more starts like this out of Lieber down the stretch. Tom Gordor entered in the ninth to nail down the win but it didn't go as planned. He walked the lead-off batter then gave up a 2-run home run to pinch hitter Javier Valentin. The Phillies entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 5-4, but they may have been down but they weren't out. They showed the grit that their leader, Chase Utley, shows every night. Chris Coste had a beautiful at bat to start the innnig, capping it with a double. Chris Roberson came in to run and advanced to third when an pickoff throw ended up in centerfield. Shane Victorino, who entered the game in the eighth, hit a sac fly to right to score Roberson. This sent the game to extra innings.

Gordon stayed in and pitched a perfect tenth added by a diving catch by Victorino. Ryan Madson entered in the eleventh and pitched two scoreless innings and has really pitched well since his return to the bullpen. Geoff Geary entered in the 13th and promptly walked Griffey Jr. He then advanced to second on a Rich Aurilia single. Geary then got Adam Dunn and Brandon Philips to fly to center before Eric Milton pinch hit for Ryan Franklin. Milton lined it back up the middle and luckily for the Phils hit Geary in the leg preventing the ball from going into center. Aaron Fultz then entered the game. Fultz struck out Todd Hollandsworth swinging. The Phillies threatened in the bottom of the 13th but Hollandsworth made a diving catch in rightcenter off the bat of Jimmy Rollins to send in the game to the 14th.

Aaron Fultz shut down the Reds in the top of the 14th and set up the drama for the bottom of the 14th. Delluci started it with a single and Utley followed with a walk. The Reds decided to intentionally walk Howard to load the bases bringing up Fultz. Fultz lined to shortstop to bring up Aaron Rowand. After nearly being hit by a pitch, Rowand lined a single to win the game.

Tip of the Cap- Pat Burrell for his RBI single and triple. Also for the emotion he showed after his triple tied the game. He gave fist pump after sliding into first. I remember when he first arrived in Philly he was an excitable player and something seems to have happened to him but for the first time in a while it looked like he was having fun out there.

Wag of the Finger- Tom Gordon for his blown save.

Tomorrow's Game- Scott Mathieson takes the ball for the Phillies and needs to eat some innings after tonight's game lasted 14 innings. The Reds used their starter tonight so their starter is TBA. After tonight's game who knows what to expect tomorrow but hopefully its another Phils' win. They are now within two games of the wild card.

Also check back tomorrow I am planning on writing an article about Pat Burrell and his contributions and drawbacks and comparing him to other players.