Top Moment #13: Chooch Ends Double Header with Walk-Off Single
Photo: Philly.com
On June 15, the Phillies and Marlins took part in a double header. The Phillies were all over the Marlins in the first game as Kyle Kendrick led the Phillies to an 8-1 victory. The second game of the double header was closer and more exciting.
It was one of the rare games in which Roy Halladay was not dominant. The Marlins took an early lead, but luckily for Halladay, the offense saved him.
Pat Gallen broke down the ninth inning in the post-game recap:
Down 4-2 in the ninth, Carlos Ruiz and Ross Gload both singled with one out to put two runners on base. Jimmy Rollins then absolutely smoked a ball off the leg of Marlins closer Leo Nunez, but it ricocheted to first baseman Gaby Sanchez for out number two. Ruiz and Michael Martinez – in as a pinch-runner for Gload – moved up a base, bringing Shane Victorino to the dish. He smoked a pitch up the middle, scoring the two, tying the game, and bringing back memories of ’07, ’08, and ’09.
The Marlins didn’t do any damage in the top of the tenth as Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless inning.
With two runners on in the tenth inning, the Phillies were one clutch hit away from the victory. Carlos Ruiz didn’t let the fans down as he delivered with a single to center. Ryan Howard scored and the Phillies won by a score of 5-4, sweeping the double header.
After the game, Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison told ESPN “Up 4-2 in the ninth, you’ve got to get the win. Good teams find a way and we’re not a good team right now.” Instead, it was the Phillies who were the good team who found a way to comeback and win.
