Categories: Whimsy

Carlos Ruiz pitched last night, and struck a guy out

Let’s check in with former Phillie Carlos Ruiz, who-

Okay then.

Ruiz was called to pitch in the eighth inning Tuesday against the Twins, who were leading 19-6 against Seattle. Minnesota’s Eddie Rosario greeted Chooch with a home run, then Ehire Adrianza walked. Chris Gimenez hit what looked like another home run, but the umpires called double. After review, that call was upheld, signaling a turning point in Chooch’s pitching career.

With men on second and third and no out, Chooch buckled down and induced an infield pop from Robbie Grossman. Then he walked Max Kelper to load the bases.

But Ruiz has ice in his veins. Get this: He STRUCK OUT KENNYS VARGAS. Not only that, but the last strike was called, a beautiful fastball riding on the inside part of the plate but just in the strike zone. Very … ahem … Halladay-esque.

Then Ruiz induced a groundout from Eduardo Escobar.

All hail Chooch, who with his 9.00 ERA has a better 2017 MLB ERA than Clay Buchholz.

Watch the video here.

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.