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Last night’s game was about as much fun as you can possibly have for a baseball game in June. The Phillies showed some theatrics in this game as they returned from two deficits and stomped on the Mets. They lit up Met’s ace Johan Santana for 10 runs, highlighted by a 9 run fourth inning in a 11-5 route to give the Phillies the top spot in the NL East once again.
This one looked like a mismatch from the start. The Mets had Johann Santana going against 47 year old Jamie Moyer. The Mets looked like they were going to make quick work of the Phillies when David Wright hit a three run homer in the first. Johann Santana can’t give up a three run lead against Moyer, can he?
But he did give most of it back in the bottom of the inning. Two solo homers by Polanco and Howard in the bottom of the first put the Phillies within one.
Then the Mets gave Santanna another 3 run lead in the fourth when none other than stinkin Rod Barajas hit another frickin home run. He now has 7 homers in his last seven games against the Phillies. That’s enough to make you sick. Santana couldn't blow another three run lead though, right?
Next came a fourth inning Phils fans may never forget. The Phillies had a runner on third with two outs in the fourth when Raul Ibanez singled to cut the Mets lead to two. Juan Castro singled and Carlos Ruiz worked a walk to load the bases.
Up steps Jamie Moyer. After missing with his first pitch, Santana threw ball 2 to make the count 2-0. The crowd went nuts. After taking a strike, Santana threw another ball outside the zone for a 3-1 count. The crowd grew louder. The next pitch came in for a strike and then Moyer fought off a fastball. The next pitch was up an in for ball four. The crowd went ballistic, a run scored, and the Phillies inched to within one run..
Shane Victorino batted next and after taking the first pitch, he crushed a fastball way out into the left field seats for a grand slam. Sound familiar, anyone? This was as loud as I have heard Citizens Bank Park. It was a party.
Santana stayed out there, and the Phils weren't finished with him quite yet. Polanco singled and Chase Utley hit a two-run homer. Then they finally pulled Santana. The line on Santana: 3 2/3 innings, 10 runs, 8 hits, 4 home runs, only one strikeout. Still think you're the best pitcher in the NL East, Johann?
The Phils would add two more hits before the Mets finally ended the inning. They scored 9 runs in the inning, all with two outs. Every single batter reached base, including 9 straight. Wow.
It just doesn't get better than that. It was about as exciting as it gets in the regular season and it reminds you how much fun baseball can be. Neither team scored after that and the Phillies finished with an 11-5 win and a series win over the Mets. |
