The 2008 Phandom 25: "Ambush!"
Last year I wrote a series of posts chronicling 2007’s 20 greatest moments in Phillies Phandom. Each game had a special “wow” factor, whether it was an insane comeback, an awesome feat or a trademark moment. And each game was a Phillies win, of course.
For this year, clearly, you know the top moment. But ranking the rest was very difficult. Do I rank the NLCS second just because? Is the NL East clinching victory as important as other postseason moments? I used some heavy discretion, but I believe I came up with a pretty solid list.
Each moment has an attached video link, if you’d like to go back and reminisce.
Like the 100 Greatest Phillies countdown, I’ll be posting one per day. I swear, you won’t get any more countdowns this offseason.
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22. “Ambush!”
Date: May 7, 2008
After the Phillies came back against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, one player said “Ambush.” Right on.
The Diamondbacks carried a 3-1 lead going into the seventh inning, as Kyle Kendrick turned in another Kendrickian start. The offense couldn’t get off the ground off Arizona starter Micah Owings, but in that seventh, they struck gold.
A Geoff Jenkins single gave way to Pedro Feliz. In typical clutch Feliz fashion, he knocked a two-run home run to tie the game. Arizona would regain the lead off Ryan Madson, however, as Connor Jackson plated Eric Brynes with a double. JC Romero extinguished the flames, but down 4-3, time was running out.
Luckily, the Phils caught a break as Shane Victorino reached first on a strikeout-passed ball. That brough up Eric Bruntlett, starting for the injured Jimmy Rollins. And as the little men did all season, Bruntlett came up big with a lining double, tying the game. Chase Utley followed with a base hit, scoring Bruntlett. “Ambush!”
Tom Gordon calmed it down after surrendering a leadoff double, and of course, Brad Lidge closed the door. A fine early season win against, at the time, one of baseball’s top teams.
The video: Chase Utley brings home Eric Bruntlett.
From the comments:
Mike T: I’d like to take the time to welcome the Phillies back down to Earth – welcome home, Phils.
Fran: see i dont mind feliz. If you think about it last year we had wes helms in that spot. Feliz is definatly an upgrade. Give him time, remember this is a whole new club and city hes with. He just moved 3,000 miles. Let him get adjusted
chris.l: Good ass game! It was worth staying up until 1:00 on a work night to watch us get this important win.
