That Just Happened: Phillies Rally for Eight Runs in 7th, top Braves 12-11.

by WholeCamels on Apr 8, 2009 7:11 PM EDT

Yep, totally saw that one coming.

On a day when the glories of the recent past were celebrated, with the 2008 Phillies receiving their World Series rings on a blustery April afternoon, the 2009 Phillies showed some of the same resilience that their champion predecessors showed last year. After falling behind 10-3 after a downright awful start by Joe Blanton, the Phillies rallied for eight runs in the bottom of the 7th inning, including four bases loaded walks, giving them an 11-10 lead.

The Phillies added what proved to be an incredibly valuable insurance run in the bottom of the 8th on an Eric Bruntlett sacrifice fly. Brad Lidge, despite giving up a solo shot to Matt Diaz, held the lead, and the Phillies put their first victory of the season in the books, 12-11.

With the improbable come-from-behind victory, the Phillies held off a home opener sweep and head to Colorado hoping to continue in the winning direction.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Ringless Raul Ibanez, who connected for the Phillies first (and so far only) home run of the season in the 2nd inning, a long shot off the facing of the upper deck. He would add another RBI single in the eight run 7th inning.

via wwww.fangraphs.com

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Ibanez

I was one of those unhappy with replacing Pat with Ibanez in the off season, but in only 3 games of become a fan of the move. Not only for his obvious chops at offense, but the cannon of an arm I witnessed last night when he gunned down a potential Atlanta run at home. So, we lose a few homers when we lose Burrell. I’m happy to take the better glove in left, and more contact at the plate.

Great win today, and a great motivator fo the team and Phans alike. We’re a better team than we were last year!

by The DH on Apr 8, 2009 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

I think only few who dissed the move thought Ibanez would be worse than Burrell, especially in year 1. The contract was ludicrous, though, and the extra lefty will present more of a problem against teams with more left handed options in the bullpen.

hurray for this win, though! only issue was that mlb.tv is behind, and my dad can’t help but text me every little development…never should’ve taught him how to do that.

by bugbear on Apr 8, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

And the glove really ain’t that much better. But yeah, I don’t htink anyone though he was gonna be BAD, just that he wasn’t worth the contract.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 8, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I was impressed by that throw as well, but I hesitate to anoint him a “cannon arm” just yet. He didn’t earn the nickname “Lawn Dart” in Seattle by accident.

by phatj on Apr 8, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

cannon

From Lookout Landing:

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Apr 8, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

How does that even happen?

by FuquaManuel on Apr 8, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Ask Lonnie Smith (who threw the ball backwards in a similar play)

by David S. Cohen on Apr 8, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

if you gotta do that, do it on the road so you get cheered.

by Wet Luzinski on Apr 9, 2009 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m quite upset that I missed the tail end of this one. Dammit.

by Walcott on Apr 8, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

God, I can’t get over how sexy that ring is.

One day, when I am rich, and one of these Phillies is really poor as the result of some financial mismanagement, I am going to buy his ring…I dream.

by FuquaManuel on Apr 8, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions

You can probably get some sort of Dykstra ring right about now

NLCS or whatever they may have had back in 93.

Daulton probably already dumped his for Fruit Loops.

Remember the Phitans

by RememberthePhitans on Apr 9, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

According to this guy, in the spring of ‘81 they gave out solid metal replica world series rings to all the fans. I think they’re only giving out replica ring key chains this year.

by myrestingpulse_121bpm on Apr 9, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions