Another perfect ending: Phillies walk off in extras

On a night when Reds rookie Travis Wood stayed perfect for eight innings, with Roy Halladay dueling him to a 0-0 draw through nine, Jimmy Rollins finally broke the scoreless deadlock with an RBI hit to plate one of the night's biggest heroes, Carlos Ruiz, as the Phillies walked off on the Reds in extras for a third-straight night.

Ruiz's gapper in the bottom of the ninth spoiled Wood's perfecto and set the Phillies up to validate Halladay's five-hit shutout (and they would have done so with one hit), but it wasn't to be. The rest of the game could have used some editing until Chooch came through with his second clutch double and J-Roll drove him home with a two-out rope.

Beerleaguer: The ending where Valdez executes the bunt and Ibanez knocks in the winning run would have preserved a couple of press box classics. Gotta love Chooch; the guy suffers a concussion, comes off the DL and has the headiest AB of the night and catches a game like this. On the Phillies side, the player of the game has to be Halladay. The Phils need to figure out a way to get him to the postseason because he'll win them a title. But with all due respect, the best player on the diamond tonight has to be Wood. The 23-year-old lefty may never pitch a better game, and this was just his third start in the Majors.

But enough about him. How 'bout them Phillies?

Comments

[GBrettfan]

Phillies need to keep pace with the Braves, win when they win, and then beat them in head-to-head competition. Same for the Mets.

[Jack]

That was a hell of a baseball game.

Hats off to Wood. He pitched the game of his life. Just a shame he ran into Doc at his near-best.

[denny b.]

Only shocking moment of the game was seeing Madson warming up in the 11th.

They were going to send him out there again? That would have been his 5th game in 6 nights.

I understand he is fresh as a daisy, but lets not overdo it.

Not sure what to think about Lidge's performance. He showed some signs of 2009 (with the general lack of understanding where the ball was going) but then buckled down and made some good pitches against Hanigan and Phillips. Used the fastball too with those two guys.

I guess we should be encouraged. I guess?

Contreras was flat filthy. That was the guy we saw in April and May. He makes hitters look VERY uncomfortable. Even when he gets hit, the hitters look like they'd rather be somewhere else.

Just need to get Durbin back.

Reading had their 7 game winning streak snapped tonight. Ramirez pitched very well though again.

Mathieson got his 16th save in Game 2 for LV. Another 2 inning save for him. Brown didn't play in either game.

LV's bullpen is pretty darned impressive for a AAA team. Easily the best part of their team.

[Chris in VT]

Wow...just wow. Amazing how the entire mood of a season can change so quickly.

[Old Phan]

We gave them Halladay, they gave us Wood.

[denny b.]

Wood pitched like Hamels used to.

Or like Hamels can and will in the 2nd half.

[GTown_Dave]

denny b.: I believe Brown is on his way to Anaheim for the All-Star Futures Game.

[Jack]

GBrettfan points out the amazing part of all this: we're still 5.5 games behind the Braves. It feels like a turning point, and yet we're still basically as far back as we've been all season, because the Braves are playing the best baseball in the league.

We need this momentum to send us on a serious hot streak after the break.

[Old Phan]

Seems unlikely that the Braves can stay this hot all year. Something has to give.

[Fatalotti]

NOw with all that I've said about how Halladay or Johnson should start the AS game over Jimenez, Jimenez does have a 15-1 record, and knowing how "old school" Manuel can be (where pitchers W/L records are held in inexplicably high esteem), I'd actually be surprised if Jimenez isn't starting.

[GTown_Dave]

Jack: I agree, but first things first. Or rather, second things first. The Mets stand between the Phillies & the Braves, but by a mere 0.5 games now.

[BloodStripes]

Winners are grinners!

[Old Phan]

GTown, I think i'd rather see the Muts win tomorrow after the Phils have swept just to get them a bit closer to Cock's team.

[royale]

Unfortunate shot of Dobbers' bald spot. Wonder if there's a correlation between his hair and decline on the field. He was best with full burns.

[Heather]

Could the Mets just plz beat the Braves tomorrow for 1 game out of 4?

And Phils win tomorrow too, of course. 4.5 games back at the AS is not good but it is surmountable.

Maybe Brian McCann, Martin Prado, and Tim Hudson will all collide in some freak pop up in the infield at the All Star Game and all get put on the 15 day DL after the break. That would be awesome.

[goody]

I would like to tip my hat to the Phils, but bap told me that would be rude gesture.

[Old Phan]

Goody, not to worry. We won't boo you if you do.

[ftljohn]

Just goes to show you how good Halladay is. He doesn't technically get the win tonight, but the opposing pitcher goes 8 perfect and Halladay still stays on pace with him. It's a thrill to watch this guy every week.

Things are looking up. Chooch is back. I heard on WIP Polanco starts his rehab next week and is targeting a return for the Cardinals series. Three walk-off wins in a row. Things are looking good in Phillies land.

[Meyer]

I hope it doesn't come to this but Charlie may need to announce his retirement if we are ever going to catch the Braves.

[Heather]

No mention of the bad Cliff Lee start in TX where he gave up 6 runs?

Or can we only mention it when CL does well?

[Heather]

Actually if you think about it a little, you almost have to feel sorry for the Reds fans. Your guy takes a perfecto into the 9th, pitches a 9 inning shutout...and your team loses.

I mean, you ALMOST have to feel sorry. I don't, but almost.

Go Phils.

[GBrettfan]

Isn't that the first bad start Lee's had this year? I'll cut him some slack on that one. The man has moved 4 times in 1 year. Maybe the Texas heat melted the ice water in his veins. Nah, doubtful. I'm sure he'll rebound although he'll almost certainly have a few more less-than-stellar outings, too.

[Heather]

Yeah GBrett I still think CL is a great pitcher but sometimes from the talk around here you think CL was Cy Young reincarnated.

[Chazbot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oBp8rJjI44

Jimmayyyyyyyy!!!

[Will Schweitzer]

denny b: Brown is going to the Futures Game. We were at the SWB vs LH game and Brown was picked up in a limo before game 1.

[PHinBK]

um, let me get this straight; the phillies are held completely off the board for 8 innings, a perfect game by a kid who has all of three major league starts experience, and they eek out an extra innings win, and now its optimism time? really? honestly, this game is the epitome of why the phils are 5 games back. but, ok, they pulled it out so smiles all around. let's build on it and go crazy folks.

[GTown_Dave]

Hey ... Mets ...

:-)

[GBrettfan]

PHinBK, what's different these past three nights is that the team has shown enough fight to come back in late innings. Something that's been missing all year but which they've done for 3 games in a row.

Let us have time to revel in the victory. Never fear, pessimism will return just as sure as day follows night, PHinBK!

Great graphic, GTown!

[Heather]

"and now its optimism time? really?"

win = optimism

[st]

they're only 2 games out of the wc and colorado is about to take over that division anyway. i have no issues beating out cincy, la, san diego or the mets. they are probably better than all those teams.

[Thump Bump]

Yeah, let's not go crazy. This is a great win, but the bats continue to be silent for looooong stretches. It just so happens the ptiching held up the past couple nights

[bay_area_phan]

Re Halladay & the AS Game. The game is on Tuesday, which means he'll be on 2 days rest. Not only won't he start; he won't pitch. At least he'd better not.

[Iceman]

Reading those comments in the last thread reminds me of Game 4 of the NLCS last year...great game the whole way through, even before the J-Roll walk-off. But all you read on BL is "Bitch bitch bitch."

That was a great game to watch, fantastic pitcher's duel. Is it possible for some of you to watch a close, low-scoring game without throwing around the word "Pathetic" every two seconds? The Reds are a first place team and say what you want about Wood being a rookie but he pitched GREAT tonight. Not all wins are pretty but good teams have to win games like this all the time.

[bay_area_phan]

Funny, I don't find myself feeling sorry for either Wood or the Reds fans. I actually feel sorry for Phillies fans for having to suffer the near-indignity of watching a guy making his third major league start pitch a perfect game against their team.

(BTW, I really AM happy about the win; I'm just still suffering from PTSD brought about by the first 8 innings).

[bay_area_phan]

"Is it possible for some of you to watch a close, low-scoring game without throwing around the word "Pathetic" every two seconds?"

An honest question deserves an honest answer: no.

[GTown_Dave]

Werth, Games 01-41

.329 BA / .406 OBP / .658 SLG / 1.063 OPS / 9 HR / 33 RBI / 21 2B / 0 3B / 18 BB / 37 K / GIDP 2

Werth, Games 42-82

.234 BA / .327 OBP / .369 SLG / .696 OPS / 4 HR / 21 RBI / 5 2B / 1 3B / 22 BB / 44K / GIDP 5

In his 83rd Game (last night), Werth went 1-4 w/ 2 K. He only has 2 RBI in his last 15 Games.

Jayson Werth's agent has truly experienced some high highs & low lows this first half of the '10 season, no?

GBrettfan: Not my creation, but I remembered it from a few years back & felt now was as good a time as any to bust it back out. :-)

"Funny, I don't find myself feeling sorry for either Wood or the Reds fans. I actually feel sorry for Phillies fans for having to suffer the near-indignity of watching a guy making his third major league start pitch a perfect game against their team.

(BTW, I really AM happy about the win; I'm just still suffering from PTSD brought about by the first 8 innings)."

Same here.

[thephaithful]

my beerleague softball team would realize not to swing at wood's high fastball by the 6th inning. i hope charlie makes them run laps after watching that tape.

anyway....

chooch is the man!!

[goody]

The best thing to take out of this game is the 2 doubles by Chooch. He was in a terrible slump when he went down. And with the coming break, does he start day game after 11 inning nite game?

[PHinBK]

they were completely shutdown for 8 innings. by a kid in his third major league start. its not pessimism its realism. ordinarily you thank your lucky starts the team stole a win, but considering the last 30 odd games of offensive futility, this is the same horror story with a surprise feel good twist. its a hell of a lot better when they win though, so its a good night.

[Klaus]

The fact that the Phillies didn't win the game during the 9 innings that Halladay pitched proves to me that Halladay simply isn't a stopper. Ace maybe; stopper: no.

[bay_area_phan]

goody: I can't see Cholly starting Schneider against a left-handed pitcher. Chooch will start.

This will be the Reds' third rookie starter in a row, by the way. Granted, the 2 we've faced are also the 2 best starters in their rotation. Still, that will be their undoing in the playoffs -- assuming they hold off the Cardinals & get to the playoffs, which I doubt.

[NEPP]

Well, we all looked at Werth's ridiculously high BABIP during that first 40 games and said "Well, there's no way he maintains this level of production...he's gonna revert at some point". He's doing that right now. He'll likely heat back up and go on another streak at some point as long as we all stay out of his fvcking way.

PS: I think its hilarious that Lee was traded to the one place he sucks at pitching. I think his career ERA in Arlington is over 7...granted in a smaller sample size than you'd like to make such a statement. Still funny though.

[NEPP]

On Wood: I think the kid pitched his butt off. I don't really think it was anything other than that. He was just really on his game.

[Old Phan]

It doesn't really matter when the runs get scored as long as they do. I know instant gratification is fun, but this game was as good as it gets, entertainment wise.

[NEPP]

It was a nail-bitter for all 11 innings. Can't ask for more than that.

[Lincoln Hawkes]

I blame the moral abomination known as "fantasy sports" as part of the reason why people complain after a 1-0 extra innings walkoff win.

The glorification of individual performances, scoring plays, and highlight clips. Blech.

Give me the kind of old-fashioned pitcher's duel that my grandfather would have talked about for 30 years. I'll need something to talk about when I'm 60. The Cliff Lee trade will have run out of steam by then.

(right?)

[gobaystars!]

THE KING WEARS A KING HAT AND LIVES IN THE KING HOUSE!!

Thus far this is the best series of the year in MLB. If the good guys can bust out the brooms tomorrow then anything is possible. They have shown these young upstarts, and portential playoff foes, who runs the show. They have stumbled and they have fallen but our Philadelphia Phillies are still the kings of the senior circuit until they are knocked off.

[DH Phils]

PHinBK: If you can't get enjoyment out of this game, why do you watch baseball?

[DH Phils]

Also, if the opportunity for a 4 game sweep against a first-place team (and at the very least, winning 3 out of 4) isn't "optimism time", when is optimism time? Are you waiting for a 5-game sweep?

[EastFallowfield]

What's the biggest problem the Braves have had to deal with all year? Heyward going on the 15 day DL? Maybe they'll stay so fortunate all year, maybe not.

[dlhunter]

This series feel like we're being swept.

[dlhunter]

One day, I'll figure out which one of my neighbors EastFallowfield is.

My guess: Billy Bob the Buffalo Farmer.

[Andy]

hunter - That depends. Does Billy Bob walk through the town pointing out new out-buildings saying, "Yo, new shed?"

b-a-p, et al.
I'm sorry. Offensive lethargy or not, winning three walk-offs at home against a first place team is a good thing. It just is. And it should have positive reprecussions going forward.

[Meyer]

I'm sure EF is a shepherd.

[DH Phils]

The thing is, there is an argument to be made that winning every game in extra innings is an unsustainable path to the playoffs, on the basis that your record will end up somewhere around .500 if you go to extra innings every game.

Using the same logic, you would argue that the Phillies were not going to keep losing nearly every close game, as they had been for the past week-and-a-half before this series.

The people refusing to enjoy these last 3 wins, of course, didn't make this argument then, because that would require them to think a positive thought about the Phillies.

[EastFallowfield]

I have pointed out several times that I no longer live in East Fallowfield.

Took the name eons ago (in internet years) wondering if anyone would ever say "Hey!".

Cliff Lee.

[Meyer]

I'm hoping J.C.Ramirez and Lee continue pitching on the same day for argument sake.

[phlipper]

This very moment, the Cincinatti version of a Phillies fan is writing the following post on a Cincinatti blog:

The Reds absolutely suck.

The Phils won exra-inning runs against their best relief pitchers.

They had more baserunners than the Phils last night and couldn't get anyone home. They couldn't even score against that idiot Lidge and a 64 year-old, washed up Contreras.

Sure, the Reds are good at padding their stats against weaker teams - but the come up against a team like Philly - that stinks but that has an intimidating reputation - and they come up small.

They give up home runs to Cody freakin' Ransom and Greg freakin' Dobbs? And the give up a home run to the "new" Ryan Howard is a freakin' singles hitter?

Their so-called "super-human" Votto, Mr. All-Star didn't come through once in a big inning over three games where a single freakin' run would have delivered the victory. You'd think that in a bandbox like CBP, he could at least hit a high pop-up that would go out.

And please, Kyle Kendrick? They lost to Kyle freakin' Kendrick? Does a non-fraud team EVER LOSE TO KYLE freakin' KENDRICK?

They get shut down by Figueroa. Are you kidding, Figueroa?

How could anyone be optimistic about the Reds after they lose three straight to the Philadelphia freakin' Phillies?

[EastFallowfield]

Yea, and the flip side is when teams like the Reds or Twins beat us at the end we credit them for playing all 9 innings, being relentless, playing a no retreat, no surrender style that we wish we'd still show.

[EastFallowfield]

Postseason odds up to 20 percent, 2 percent worse than the Mets, who are even with Phils in loss column...

[PHinBK]

DH Phils: i enjoyed watching the phillies win the game. but i didn't see anything from that game to be overly excited about.

they didn't have a batter reach first base for 8 innings. against a rookie of a rookie. at home. in july. Lidge had to walk a tight rope to get out of the ninth. ruiz hits a lead off double in the ninth and was stranded because Castro pop up his bunt attempt.

but yes they have fought back for what seems like the first time all season, and that's encouraging. but after last night's near embarrasment i'd say the offensive sickness remains live and well.

as someone pointed out, if the phillies couldn't lay off the kid's high fast ball then the coaches aren't doing their jobs and its time for a change. if not now then next season for sure. interesting to see if that happens because if they miss the postseason there will most certainly need to be a sacrificial lamb.

[The Truth Injection]

I especially like the people who were trashing the Phillies for getting 1 hit by a guy in "his third major league start." The kid had good stuff last night. You can't take a perfect game as long as he did without having great stuff- at least for one night.

Fact is the team is starting to show some life and is gaining some momentum moving towards the ASB.

A side note- Jose Reyes left the Mets game yesterday with an apparent leg injury.

[phlipper]

In fact, I think that the last three victories over the first-place Reds were so horrible, that we should start a fan boycott. Those games were so bad, no one should show up at the game today - to send a message to management that they need to completely rebuild the roster before the trading deadline and get a team in here that can win games against first place clubs like the Reds.

Oh. Wait.

[Dubee Dubee Du]

Well done phlipper.

Count me on the side of the optimists.

Doc shuts out one of the top offensive teams in the NL,in CBP, for 9 innings, while his team is being perfectoed, and yet the Phils pull out the win. DOC=Stopper!

Leake is a very good pitcher.

Wood pitched a great game, his stuff was nasty all night.

No worries that they shut the Phils down as long as they kept it within reach and came back as they did.

That strikeout pitch to Hannigan might be the Pitch that revives Lidge's career. I know it's a bit over dramatic but as I said I'm an optimist.

Last note: Well pitched tight games such as last night is great baseball theater. Exciting throughout. Does the kid get the perfecto? Does Halladay keep the Phils in it? Extra innings! Bullpen phlopsweats! A Phillies walkoff win! All equals this baseball fan's thumbs WAY UP!

[philwynk]

The truth is, even when the Phils were hot over the past several years, they played an awful lot of scoreless innings, and won on little flurries of home-run balls. If the team has the sort of attitude that keeps them in close games until somebody comes through, they have what they need to win the division. The good teams stay on top by winning the close ones; the average teams stay average by losing them.

If the Phillies manage to keep up the streak of winning one-run games, I'm content. Even if their home run production is below expectation by 10% or so.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

Phils' performance against Cincinnati has been dramatic, to say the least. Except for the first game. That was mostly comic.

I swear, from the first inning on last night. I didn't once think about hte Phils record, or their position in the standings, or how a win or loss would affect them. (okay, maybe once). It was an engrossing game. The kid pitched a whale of a game and the Phils never hit one where they ain't. Halladay's performance was the stuff of legends, too. I tune in every night hoping for a game like that.

Ruiz is back looking like the guy that was here the first 6 weeks of the season. And, Valdez just had to inject one example of the sloppy baseball that defined this series for the first 13 innings or so. Still a good move to PH him there for Castro. Valdez is a professional bunter, with some speed. Good bunt,might have won it in 9. That would have been perfect.

[timr]

Wood was pitching really well... maybe not perfect game well, but I can't really fault them for not hitting in this particular game. The kid had great stuff.

[awh]

Phils need another decent performance from Hamels today.

Don't know why the omplaints abt being no hit for 8. The kid was good.

fortunately, on the scoreboard - the only place it counts - Doc was just as good.

[Marlowe]

I am optimistic. We are 5.5 games behind a good Braves team, but a team that has been playing .690 ball since early May. Somehow I think a little mean reversion is in order down in Atlanta.

Meanwhile in Philly, we've faced the twin blows of epic offensive slumps and injuries -- how many games have Jimmy and Chase, the duo I view as the core/benchmark of the team, actually played together?

The offensive (and defensive) slump has been downright depressing to witness, but I've been pleasantly surprised by starting pitching. Moyer and Kendrick have been revelations. With Happ injured, Blanton sucking out loud (I don't get; can anyone explain this? Do abdominal injuries linger?) and Hamels improved but not quite the post-Verducci effect recovery one hoped for, I would've figured things to be much worse. Credit due to our two #5 pitchers.

The Reds are a solid team, and we just broke them. So, again, consider me optimistic. Who knows what the trade deadline will bring, but the past three years we have improved the roster at the deadline.

[twitter.com/jtramsay]

Just when I'm ready to write off 2010 and hope that Rube retools the team for the 2011 campaign, they manage to pull out three unlikely wins against a quality team while they're decimated by injuries and in one of the worst slumps I can remember.

It's a Jekyll and Hyde team and I guess we fans will have to live with that. But don't swings like this make you wonder what might happen as we get pieces back from the DL? Sure, that doesn't mean we suddenly have a solid closer, but I like our chances in the second half if we can get everyone healthy and maybe even make a play at the deadline.

Worst case scenario? It's 2006 all over again and despite valiant efforts we just run out of runway and miss the playoffs.

[twitter.com/jtramsay]

Also, I was at last night's game. I can't remember the last time I watched a regular season game with my heart in my throat quite like that and I was at the Daisuke near no-hitter. If this is as close as I get to ever seeing a perfect game, I'll take it. Now I'll go back to overdosing on tranquilizers so I can relax.

Double also, try taking your wife and one-year-old to a game like that. One moment, it looks like the game will be over before 9 PM and the next thing you know you're putting the baby in the carseat at 11:30. Ouch.

[EastFallowfield]

Yo, new thread

[car dvd players]

I think the kid pitched his butt off. I don't really think it was anything other than that. He was just really on his game.