2009 Chachi #55 Eric Bruntlett HL

Phillies 9, Mets 7

Eric Bruntlett's day went a little something like this:

- He arrived at Citi Field to find his name in the starting line-up, giving Chase Utley a well-deserved day off.

- He singled in the 1st inning, coming around to score on a Carlos Ruiz 3-run home run.

- He singled in the 3rd inning.

- He singled in the 5th inning, matching his career high for hits in a game and raising his average to .154.

- According to second base umpire Rob Drake, he tripled in the 9th inning for his first career 4-hit game. Unfortunately for Eric, Jeff Francoeur had clearly caught the ball on the fly (Drake initially ruled Francoeur had trapped the ball), the umpires discussed, and Eric was ruled out. Charlie Manuel argued and was ejected from the game.

- In the bottom of the 9th, he booted two ground balls (only one was ruled an error) and spent roughly three minutes most likely looking for a hole to crawl into.

With Daniel Murphy on first (Bruntlett error) and Luis Castillo on second (Bruntlett boot), Jeff Francoeur came to the plate as the potential winning run. With the runners inexplicably running on the pitch, Francoeur hit a line drive straight up the middle. Eric was breaking to the bag to cover since Murphy was running . . . and he caught the line drive (1 out). He stepped on second to double up Castillo, who was just about to third base (2 outs). He then applied the tag to a stunned Murphy (3 outs) for the 15th unassisted triple play in Major League history. It was the second time in history a game has ended on an unassisted triple play. The Tigers' John Neun did it the first time back in 1927. Can you believe it?

Phillies win the game, Pedro returns to New York, Jayson Werth hits a 3-run home run . . . and Eric Bruntlett (Eric Bruntlett!) ends up in the history books. I love this game.