Game 108 - Monday Night, August 1st in Denver
One Sentence Summary: Late home runs from John Mayberry, Jr. and Shane Victorino game the Phils the improbable extra-inning win in Denver.
What It Means: The Phillies are now 30 games over .500 with a record of 69-39. The Braves lost last night in Washington, so the Phils have a seven game lead in the East. It's days like these I wish I could get in my time machine and talk to 15-year-old me and say, "Just you wait. Things get so much better."
What Went Right: The Phillies bats were lethargic through the first eight innings, scoring just one run in the seventh when Raul Ibanez drove home Hunter Pence with an RBI-double.
And then Carlos Ruiz reached on a double in the ninth. With two outs, and a full count, pinch-hitter Mayberry stunned Coors Field with a 2-run, game-trying home run to left. Victorino followed with a solo shot in the tenth, and Ryan Madson pitched a perfect bottom of the inning for his 19th save.
Lost in the dramatic win was another fine pitching performance from Cole Hamels. Hamels pitched only six innings, as he was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the seventh. The highlight of Hamels' night was striking out Troy Tulowitzki with the bases loaded in the fifth to end a serious threat from the Rockies.
Featured Card: The last time I featured a Mayberry card in a game summary post, I faild to mention that Mayberry also made an appearance in the 2009 Topps 206 set. I'm still hopeful he'll have a card in the 2011 Topps Update set.
I hope Big John makes it - His T206card looks great
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