Finally.
It only took 70 games, but the Phillies finally managed a comeback, walk-off win last night.
It might just be the thing to kickstart their long slog back into contention.
On a sweltering night in South Philly, the Phils saw a 5-5 tie disintegrate in the top of the 9th with Jonathan Papelbon on the moud, only to pull it out in the bottom of the 9th to send their sweating faithful home delirious.
It’s something that has been conspicuously absent from the Phils’ attack this year. Basically, when this team went into the late innings behind, they were sunk. Everything about them screamed “defeated.”
Maybe the Colorado Rockies are just what this team needed. After all, they handed the Phils the game in the bottom of the 9th.
Don’t look for the Phils to give it back.
After they tied the game on a Hunter Pence double, the Phils had the bases loaded with Placido Polanco at the plate.
He bounced a ball up the middle toward center-field. It was cut-off by shortstop Marco Scutaro and it appeared as if this one was headed for some steamy extra innings. But instead of flipping to second for a force, Scutaro double-clutched, then fired high to first. Todd Helton couldn’t hold the bag as Polanco beat him in a “foot” race to find the base.
Phils win, Phils win, Phils win.
It won’t mean much if the Phils revert to their old ways. But it just might be a start.
And if it is, we have the Colorado Rockies to thank.
On a steamy night in South Philly, it was a Rocky Mountain High.
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