Machine! Burrell’s Walk-Off Blast Beats Giants

The book looked to be written already — Aaron Rowand sank the Phils in the top of the 10th with a solo home run; the former Phillie came back with a vengeance and grabbed his team a comeback lead. Then Pat Burrell had something to say about the way the ending. The Machine slaughtered a 3-2 fastball from Brian Wilson into the left field seats, seizing a 6-5 win for the Phils in 10.

Wilson had pitched nothing but fastballs the entire inning, and almost got away with it. But Burrell, after fouling off a pitch to fatten the count, timed Wilson dead on and let ‘er rip. The homer scored he and Chase Utley, who singled to set the drama. Right before Burrell won it, Ryan Howard struck out looking and was ejected — I eat my words from earlier; Howard is not quite back.

Kyle Kendrick pitched well enough for a win, going six innings and giving up three earned. But the last two came with Ryan Madson on the hill; he gave up a few hits, including an infield sacrifice that Eric Bruntlett could’ve converted to a double play. When Madson was done and the seventh ended, the score was tied. Tom Gordon and Brad Lidge did their jobs, but JC Romero surrendered his first earned run of the year, Rowand’s center field shot.

To support Kendrick, Utley knocked a two-run homer, as did Pedro Feliz.

The win puts the Phils at 17-13 and keeps them in first place in the National League East. More importantly, it goes further to answer the preseason question: Yes, Pat Burrell is looking a lot like a machine.