Top Moment No. 12: Victorino’s 9th Inning Salami

Top Moment #12:  Phillies rally in the ninth on Victorino’s grand slam

On April 24, Brett Myers pitched six solid innings against the Florida Marlins.  All three runs he allowed came in the first inning, thanks to Dan Uggla’s three-run bomb.  Myers was stellar, but Josh Johnson was better.

Johnson dominated, as he did all season.  He struck out eight in seven shutout innings.  The Phillies had trouble getting on base as Johnson only allowed three hits and two walks.

Clay Condrey and Ryan Madson combined for three scoreless innings to keep the Phillies in the game.  Still, the Phillies trailed 3-0 in top of the ninth, and were practically without hope.  One swing of the bat changed everything.

Jayson Werth started the rally by smacking a one-out double to center field.  He later scored on Matt Stairs’ single that squeaked through the right side of the field.  Jimmy Rollins drew a bases loaded walk. The bases remained juiced for Shane Victorino, who followed with a high drive down the right field line.  Victorino smashed his first official grand slam, and erased the Phillies’ deficit. 

Chase Utley followed with a two-run home run, and all of a sudden the Phillies put up a crooked seven on the scoreboard.  It was an unbelievable 7-3 victory, all thanks to the Flyin’ Hawaiian.

Highlights from the Post-Game Comments:

jmus97 Says:
April 24th, 2009 at 11:02 pm  

“did you think it would end any other way.. actually i had matt stairs tabbed in for a long ball once he got his count, but i’ll take a vic salami any day of the week”

BurrGundy Says:
April 24th, 2009 at 11:10 pm  

“Great finish. One for the books. Very exciting. I have no fingernails left.”

Brian of CO Says:
April 25th, 2009 at 12:43 pm

“Victorino does come up big for the Phightin Phils, but he and Stairs have a habit of coming up with key hits in pairs.”