Pat Burrell’s bases-clearing double off Colorado closer Manny Corpas swung the game completely around in the top of the ninth, giving the Phillies an 8-6 lead, which Brad Lidge nailed down. With yet another awesome comeback, the Phils have swept the Rockies and are now above .500 for the first time in 2008, at 11-10.
In 2007, the Phillies didn’t get over .500 until May 26.
Burrell’s three-run double capped a wild evening where the offenses kept punching back at each other. Chase Utley, while ending his home run streak, blasted a two-run double in the third inning. The Rockies came right back with doubles and a Matt Holliday homer. Down one, Jayson Werth hit his second homer in as many days. The Rockies grabbed two more thanks to a Garrett Atkins homer. Down two, Greg Dobbs singled home Pedro Feliz. That set up the ninth-inning drama.
So Taguchi led off the ninth with a single. Utley singled to center field, and with Taguchi heading to third base, Willy Taveras thoughtlessly threw the ball to third, allowing Utley to reach second. Ryan Howard was intentionally walked with first base open, loading the bases for Burrell. If I’m Rockies manager Clint Hurdle there, I pitch to Howard — why even give Burrell the chance with less than two outs when Howard isn’t even striking balls deep? Poor move.
Charlie Manuel made his own controversial move, leaving ace Brett Myers in the game for the seventh inning after a quick sixth. Garrett Atkins made Manuel pay for his decision. At the time I wasn’t very happy with the decision, but you have to give Myers confidence to go seven, even with mediocre stuff. That he was facing the meat of the Rockies lineup at Coors Field is just a tough factor that led to his six earned runs. His ERA is now at 4.78.
Ryan Madson toughed through the eighth and earned the win. Lidge looked phenomenal, working fast and striking out Clint Barmes en route to his fourth save.
Also, give credit to Jayson Werth, whose .300 average and fine power has been a fine substitute — heck, improvement — for Shane Victorino … and Greg Dobbs, who continues to come up with clutch pinch hit after clutch pinch hit. If there’s one thing we can say about Manuel, it’s that he knows how to use his bench.
All in all another great win for the Phils, who will travel to Milwaukee with Cole Hamels ready to go.
Associated Press photo
Here are some photos from the game:
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