Philly up 2-0, thanks to Myers on the mound and at the plate
How bleak did things look for Philadelphia? Very.
Phillies starting pitcher Brett Myers had walked in a run in the first (typically his worst inning) and Milwaukee still had the bases loaded with one out.
This was a disaster waiting to happen. Plus, the Brewers had ace hurler C.C. Sabathia on the mound, so any deficit was scary.
One pitch changed the momentum when Brewer Corey Hart bounced the ball back to Myers, who started a 1-2-3 double play.
Was something special was about to happen? It would have been hard to say, considering the Phils had to come back against the 6-foot-8 monster Sabathia, who had been virtually un-hittable since joining Milwaukee.
Yet, comeback they did thanks to a second inning that could well go down in Philadelphia sports' lore, keyed by a Myers' at bat of all things.
Back-to-back doubles by Jason Werth and Pedro Feliz tied the game and with two out, Myers fouled off several pitches in a classic 10-pitch at bat that earned the .069 hitter a walk.
Jimmy Rollins followed with a walk, setting the stage for a moment Phillies fans will not soon forget as mighty-mite Shane Victorino launched a Sabathia pitch into the seats in left field for a grand slam, sending Citizens Bank Park into a frenzy.
My reaction as I watched the ball sail into the Philadelphia night: "He did not just do that."
He did, and although Philadelphia would score no more it wouldn't matter. Myers was great down the stretch and the Phils now hold their first 2-0 postseason series lead since winning the 1980 World Series.
Expect the unexpected with this Phillies team. Enjoy the ride.
Dark Star · October 3, 2008 10:08 AM
If Charlie would bat Werth between Utleu & Howard vs lefties they would score more runs.