Sunday, July 31, 2011

2011 Topps #656 Raul Ibanez

Phillies 6, Pirates 5 (10 Innings)
Game 107 - Sunday Afternoon, July 31st in Philadelphia

One Sentence Summary:  Raul Ibanez had a huge day, hitting two home runs and a game-winning double as the Phillies won in ten innings, 6-5.

What It Means:  The Phils completed the sweep of the Pirates and improved to 29 games over .500 with a record of 68-39.  With the Braves losing their game against the Marlins, the Phils now have a six game lead in the East, and they're seven games up in the loss column.

What Went Right:  Ibanez started the scoring with a solo home run in the second and he added a dramatic two-run home run in the eighth to tie the game, 5-5.  In the bottom of the 10th, Hunter Pence reached on a double and Ibanez brought him home with a double to right.

Jimmy Rollins added a two-run single in the fifth.

Starter Vance Worley cruised until running into trouble in the fifth and sixth innings.  He was finished after six after allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out seven.  Antonio Bastardo (4-0) was the recipient of the win after pitching a scoreless tenth.

Featured Card:  Rauuuuul!  The talk over the past few days has centered around the addition of Pence as the team's new right fielder and Domonic Brown's move to left to take over that position next year.  It's a foregone conclusion that Ibanez won't be back in 2012 as he's a free agent at the end of this year.  As Raul essentially begins his farewell tour over the next few months, I hope to get a few more chances to shout "Rauuuul!" either at my TV or at the ballpark whenever Ibanez has a big hit.

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