Phillies Beat Mets on Howard's Walk Off in the 10th
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by JMFlyer1454
The Philadelphia Phillies just defeated the New York Mets in an exciting 2nd game of the 4 game series. Each team starter, Tom Glavine and Adam Eaton, pitched well. But this time it was the Mets bullpen that couldn't keep it together.
With the Mets up 2-0 in the bottom of the 8th, Pedro Feliciano relieved Tom Glavine and Jimmy Rollins immediately homered to right field for his 23rd HR of the season (how he wasn't an All-Star still boggles my mind). Later in the inning Burrell walked and Victorino pinch ran for him. After Ryan Howard flied out, Aaron Heilman relieved Feliciano.
The Burrell-Victorino switch paid off when Victorino attempted to steal 2nd and Lo Duca threw wide, allowing Shane to advance to 3rd. A bunt by Aaron Rowand that trickled down the line stayed fair, allowing Victorino to score. Paul Lo Duca could only watch as the ball stayed fair. The Phillies ended up loading the bases but could not add more runs in the inning.
In the top of the 9th Brett Myers relieved J.C. Romero, who struck out the side in the top of th 8th. The Mets went 3 up, 3 down as Myers performed well. The teams then traded 1-2-3 half innings in the bottom of the 9th and top of the 10th. Shane Victorino lead off the bottom of the 10th with a single and then Ryan Howard blasted his 35th HR of the season to opposite field to end the game.
This was an enormous win for the Phillies and a huge blow for the Mets. The Phillies have now taken the first 2 games of the series and have crept to within 4 games of 1st place in the NL East. Will the momentum continue tomorrow night when Oliver Perez (12-8, 3.34) opposes Jamie Moyer (11-10, 5.16)? Moyer has been extremely inconsistent this year but has been strong versus the NL East teams. Like I said in an earlier post, I think the Phils will take 3 of 4 from the Mets this series. They're off to a good start. I still don;t see them winning the division. But I like they're determination and heart. I bet the Stadium was going crazy tonight!
