Roy Halladay and Travis Wood each went nine innings, but neither pitched a complete game. Neither allowed a run, but neither recorded a win or loss. They combined to strike out 17 batters – and allow only six total hits – while Wood came within one Carlos Ruiz double (in the ninth, no less) of a perfect game.
I suppose it was only fitting that, in a Phillies/Reds series populated by walk-off wins, this one would need a couple of extra frames to be decided, too.
Through eight innings, Travis Wood had absolutely baffled the Phils. His performance seemed to be the latest in a string of average-or-worse lefties throwing gems against Philly hitters (at least, that’s how it looked. Whether the Phils really struggled so mightily isn’t really known for sure), but another perfect game in 2010 on top of Halladay’s and Dallas Braden’s? That seemed a bit excessive, and Ruiz seemed to agree.
With Wood’s perfecto/no-hitter attempt neatly filed away in the trash, the Phils turned their attention to actually winning the game and getting Halladay his 11th win of the season. Alas, a curious strategic decision (having Wilson Valdez bunt) failed, and Chooch would not score.
At least, not in the ninth.
In the 11th, Chooch hit another double, this time with one out. After an intentional walk to Valdez (thanks, Dusty) and a fly out from Ross Gload, Jimmy Rollins came to the plate looking to give the Phils their third straight, extra-inning walk-off win against Cincy. And he would deliver. Chooch had no problem scoring from second base here (nudge, nudge, Cholly), and the Phils prevailed. They would cap off a four-game sweep the following day, and head into the all-star break on a roll. Fitting bit of symmetry that we near our own half-way point of this countdown on a bit of a roll ourselves! Keep your eyes peeled for TM #13.
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