Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a walk-off!
What a game it was tonight in Philadelphia. There was quite a pitcher's duel going on, not between the starting pitchers like you might think. In fact, Phillies pitcher Sean O'Sullivan did not pitch very well, giving up four earned runs on nine hits, while not being able to get out of the sixth inning.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto pitched quite well though. Only threw six innings of work, but gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits. Suprisingly, he was lifted after only throwing 93 pitches, 65 of which were strikes.
The bullpens played a huge role in this contest. The Phillies bullpen kept them in the game, while the Reds took them out of it. In 3.1 innings, the Phillies bullpen only allowed two people to reach base. While the Reds bullpen pitched 2.1 innings and allowed three runs on four hits, including a Maikel Franco two-run homerun and a Darin Ruf pinch-hit single to give the Phillies the walk-off victory.
In the top of the first inning, the Reds jumped out to an early lead on a Joey Votto double, to score Brandon Phillips. Shortly after, the Phillies got the run back on a chopper to first from Odubel Herrera to allow Maikel Franco to score.
Again, the Reds were able to take the lead in the top of the third, and again its Joey Votto doing the job. Votto this time singled to left to score Brandon Phillips from second.
In the top of the fourth, the Reds added onto their lead with a double from shortstop Zack Cozart, to score the former Phillie Marlon Byrd. In the same inning a Billy Hamilton sacrifice bunt scored Cozart from third.
Two innings later a suprise homerun from Phillies second baseman Chase Utley put the Phils back in the game, making it a 4-2 score. Utley is hitting only .207 this season but put together a great game tonight going 3 for 4.
In the bottom of the eighth, one of the few bright spots for the Phillies, Maikel Franco, came through with a two-run homerun to tie the score at 4-4.
In the bottom of the ninth, a double from center-fielder Odubel Herrera put the Phillies in prime position to win this game. A Carlos Ruiz sac bunt moved Herrera to third and all the Phillies needed was a groundball up the middle or a deep fly ball. Ryne Sandberg put up a strong pinch-hitter in Darin Ruf to try and win the game for the Phils. With a 1-1 count on Ruf, pitcher Tony Cingrani gave Ruf a pitch in on the hands and Ruf blooped it into shallow right field. The ball dropped, Herrera scored, and folks we have ourselves a walk-off hero.
This victory ended the Phillies 7-game losing streak and with Cole Hamels on the bump for the Phillies tomorrow the Phils have a chance to snatch the series away from the Reds.
Phillies 5, Reds 4. FINAL