Photo: Jeff Roberson, AP
One moment can define a career for a player, especially if it happens in October. Ben Francisco had one of those career defining moments in the third game of the National League Division Series.
Cole Hamels kept the Cardinals scoreless over six frames. However, Jaimie Garcia was pitching just as well — that is, until Francisco changed everything with one swing of a bat.
With two on and two outs, Francisco was called on to pinch hit for Hamels. Because of Francisco’s struggles throughout the season and the way Hamels had been pitching, the move was somewhat questionable. Luckily for the Phillies, it payed off as Francisco had the hit of his career.
Garcia left a pitch up in the zone and Francisco hammered it. The ball sailed into the Phillies’ bullpen in left-center field at Busch Stadium. Just like that, the Phillies took a 3-0 lead and all Ben Francisco criticism was put aside. The Cardinals would go on to score two, but it wasn’t enough as Francisco’s blast was the storyline.
The 3-2 win put the Phillies up 2-1 in the series. It seemed liked the Phillies had the momentum and would easily take the series, but we all know how it ended. Despite the unfortunate NLDS outcome, Francisco’s home run will forever remain as a Phillies clutch postseason moment.
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