Game 128 - Late Friday Night, August 27th in San Diego
If not for Brad Lidge's bases loaded balk with 2 outs in the 9th last night, I would have had a few more hours of much needed sleep and you'd be looking at a Roy Oswalt baseball card right now. Lidge walked the tightrope again last night, entering the 9th with a 2-1 lead, but unlike his last few outings - he fell this time. He allowed a single to pinch-hitter Matt Stairs to open the inning, intentionally walked Adrian Gonzalez a few batters later with 2 outs and then drilled Ryan Ludwick to load the bases. For some reason, Lidge started and stopped his delivery with Chase Headley at the plate and 2 strikes against him, forcing in the tying run.
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| Rollins Makes Mr. Miyagi Proud (AP Photo) |
The next few innings were uneventful until Jimmy Rollins doubled to start the 12th. He came around to score on Placido Polanco's single. Rollins' slide at home to avoid catcher Yorvit Torrealba's tag was masterful. He somehow managed to slide under Torrealba's tag, brushing the corner of home plate as he slid past. Rollins called it his "Karate Kid fly catcher." It capped a good night by Rollins, as he enjoyed his first 3-hit game since returning from the DL.
Other Game Notes: Carlos Ruiz threw out 2 base runners attempting to steal 2nd base in the 2nd. The Phils struck first in the 2nd with three straight 2-out singles (Rollins, Polanco, Chase Utley), but the Padres quickly tied it up when Torrealba homered to left in the 3rd. Raul Ibañez drove in the team's second run in the 8th with an RBI-single to score Utley.
Lidge's balk erased Oswalt's chance at winning his 10th game of the season. Oswalt worked 8 strong innings, allowing 5 hits, including Torrealba's homer, while striking out 6. He was economical with his pitches - throwing just 62 pitches through the first 5 innings, 50 for strikes. He was pinch-hit for in the top of the 9th, ending his night and setting up Lidge's latest implosion.
Jayson Werth made an amazing running catch in the 7th to take away a sure extra-base hit from Gonzalez. Ryan Howard continues to struggle, going 1 for 5 with 4 strikeouts. Both the Braves and the Giants lost, allowing the Phils to creep closer in the NL East and take a half-game lead in the Wild Card race.
2 comments:
I discovered your blog last night while watching this game. Very nice.
Looking a your custom cards prompted me to comment, as I recently completed my own custom baseball card project covering the career of former Phillies great, Dick Allen.
Very nice Dick Allen custom cards!
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