It seemed like every game went down to the wire between the Phillies and Reds during the 2010 season. It was fitting the two teams met during the NLDS, even though it wasn’t much of a series.
On Friday, July 9, it started off as just another game for the Phillies struggling offense. One run through the first eight innings, countless ugly at-bats, and another unknown pitcher putting them through hell. Yet, like so many times before, when you thought they were down and out, the Phillies caught you by surprise.
That’s exactly what they did against Reds starter Mike Leake in the ninth inning. Down to their final three outs, but down six runs, the 2-3-4 hitters approached the plate. Ryan Howard would send home Shane Victorino to make it 7-2 and with one out, the fun was kicked into high gear.
With Howard and Jayson Werth on base, the much-maligned Greg Dobbs stepped to the dish in the midst of one of his worst seasons as a pro. You’re thinking, soft ground out at minimum, maybe even double play. That’s the kind of season Dobbs had in ’10. Then…liftoff. Dobbs clanged one off the foul pole in right field, and with a 7-5 game, you’re suddenly thinking, “no effing way.”
With two outs, Ben Francisco walked to bring Cody Ransom to the plate to face Reds closer Francisco Cordero. His last name may as well be “random” because that’s basically what he was last season; a random player who happened to get a big hit in a big spot. Ransom unleashed an opposite field jack that sent the crowd into a frenzy and tied the game at seven.
Really? Cody Ransom? That’s a basic synopsis of the Phillies 2010 season – guys like Cody Ransom pulling through in the clutch, chipping in at key moments. As for Ransom, he didn’t last long with the team, but certainly made his presence felt in the short time he filled in for the injured Placido Polanco.
With six runs on the board in the ninth, they had to win, right? Yep. Ryan Howard made sure of it.
Not exactly his most productive power season, Howard let everyone know he was still capable of the long ball on this mid-July evening. His two-run blast to the opposite field gave the Phillies yet another improbable come from behind win. Oh, those poor Cincinnati Reds.
(Photo: CSN, MLB)
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