Howard's Walkoff HR Celebration in Philly!

 

Ryan Howard hit a three-run monster HR with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday night to propel the Phillies to a come-from-behind 6-3 win.

Starting pitcher Roberto Hernandez put the Phils in a position to win, again, going 5 2/3 and allowing just 2 runs.

Nonetheless, the Phils fell behind 2-0.  Then, in the bottom of the 3rd with 2 out, Chase Utley looked at 2 straight strikes to fall behind 1-and-2 against Colorado's Jordan Lyles.  Utley fouled one off, then another, syncing to the pitcher's rhythm.  Then, Utley took the next pitch to deep right field for a double, his NL-leading 22nd of the season. 

The next batter was Ryan Howard. Howard had already struck out swinging on 8 pitches in the 1st inning.  This time, he looked at ball one before singling to right to bring Utley home and put the Phils on the board, albeit still trailing 2-1.

Then, with 2 out in the 5th, Marlon Byrd fouled 2 balls off with a full-count on him, before singling to shallow left to plate Ben Revere and knot the score at 2.

A solo HR off reliever Jacob Diekman in the 8th put Colorado back on top, 3-2.

Then, in the bottom of the 9th, with LaTroy Hawkins pitching for Colorado, Phils third baseman Cesar Hernandez flied out.  Then, Tony Gwynn Jr. was safe at first on a throwing error by Colorado second baseman Josh Rutledge and Ben Revere singled to right, to put 2-on with 1 out and the Phils still trailing 3-2.

The next batter was Jimmy Rollins.  Rollins lined out to left, and Colorado pitcher Boone Logan relieved Hawkins.

There were now 2 out, with 2 Phillies on-- Tony Gwynn Jr. at 2nd and Ben Revere at 1st.  However, Logan had already blown 2 saves this season, while converting none successfully.

Chase Utley was the first batter he faced.  Utley, the consummate professional, Utley the veteran hitter, Utley with the 3rd best batting average in the NL at .335. 

Before Wednesday's game, Phils manager Ryan Sandberg had said of Utley:

“He grinds out every at-bat.  The way he’s playing the game, moving on defense, running the bases, his at-bats, his power stroke is back with all the doubles and home runs.  He’s just real steady, real steady and professional.”

Logan looked intimidated.  He threw 3 straight balls and appeared poised to load the bases by walking Utley, promptly.

Then, something heroic happened-- although at the time it may have surprised or even frustrated some Phillies fans and players alike.  Utley swung at ball 4. 

"Chase looked like he wanted to win the game, prolonging his at-bat with an aggressive swing on 3-0," Phillies manager Ryan Sandberg said after the game.

Utley fouled the pitch off to keep the at-bat alive.

So Logan went after him, and the veteran second baseman won the contest, singling to right, which was enough to plate Gwynn Jr. and advance the speedy Revere to third base.  Utley moved to second on the throw, having tied the game at 3 apiece.  He had stretched his at-bat and turned it into gold, tying the game with his cool stroke. 

Now the Phils had runners at 2nd and 3rd for Ryan Howard.

Howard had homered in game 1 of the series, a breakout game where he collected 3 hits and 5 RBI, including a HR.   Howard is a notorious Colorado killer.  However, he had been given the night off in game 2, failing in his lone pinch-hit appearance.

Howard came up in a big spot with the series on the line, this being the tie-breaker game 3 rubber match.  There were 2 on, but 2 out.   

In the third inning Howard had come through. 

Could he do it again with the game at stake vs. 29 year-old lefthander Logan?

Ball 1.

Revere at third, Utley at 2nd, representing the winning runs in the home half of the final frame.

Foul-ball strike 1.  Two more strikes would end it, Howard's Achilles heel (so to speak).

Strike 2 looking-- shades of too many playoff exits in recent years.

Ball 2.  Utley leading off 2nd, Revere inching down the third base line toward home.

Next pitch fouled off, staying alive and staving off extra-innings, already 2 strikes down.

Final pitch of the at-bat?

You could hear Harry Kalas in your head:

"Long drive to deep center field, way, way outta here!  HOME RUN, RYAN HOWARD-- AND THE PHILS WIN IT!  Revere and Utley cross the plate and await Howard, who is mobbed by his teammates after a tremendous 3-run walk-off home run to win it by a score of 6-to-3!"

Howard's HR, his 9th of the season (a 29 HR pace), his 5th career walk-off, was measured at a gigantic 439 feet and for a night in May the Phils celebrated like champions.

Howard's stroke was his 5th career walkoff HR.

"Chase looked like he wanted to win the game, prolonging his at-bat with an aggressive swing on 3-0," Sandberg said.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Ryan_Howard_walk-off_homer_leads_Phillies_past_Rockies.html#hHyC0fHwlopUuuwq.99

"Chase looked like he wanted to win the game, prolonging his at-bat with an aggressive swing on 3-0," Sandberg said.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Ryan_Howard_walk-off_homer_leads_Phillies_past_Rockies.html#hHyC0fHwlopUuuwq.99

"Chase looked like he wanted to win the game, prolonging his at-bat with an aggressive swing on 3-0," Sandberg said.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/Ryan_Howard_walk-off_homer_leads_Phillies_past_Rockies.html#hHyC0fHwlopUuuwq.99