Unlikely Heros

Carlos Ruiz and Eric Bruntlett win the game for the Phils



What a bizarre game last night. First off it gets delayed to probably the absolute latest time it could've started-10:00.

Then the Phillies decide to play some weird song about fish while the Tampa Bay players are getting introduced. Just, who comes up with this stuff?

Of course this game had to be on during Saturday Night Live, so I was constantly flicking back and forth. It was a challenge but I managed to pretty much watch every SNL sketch while catching the key moments of the Phils game. Don't ask me how, but I pulled it off.

With a pair of back-to-back homers by Utley and Howard, the Phils had a 4-1 lead, taking it into the 7th inning and then the ump pulls the ole screw job on the Phillies by calling the runner out safe when Howard clearly got him out. Good point by McCarver though-umps usually go by the sound of the ball hitting the glove and there's just no way you could hear the ball hitting Howard's bare hand with nearly 50,000 screaming Philly fans.

This resulted in the Rays scoring two runs to make it a 4-3 game. And, if you managed to stay awake for the 8th inning you were treated to one of the most excruciating innings in the history of Phillies baseball. Enter B.J. Upton who get on base with an infield hit. Then, he steals second base. Then, he steals third base and Carlos Ruiz overthrows Pedro Feliz and Upton scores to tie it up at 4 apiece.

I wouldn't be lying if I didn't say I thought the Phils were in trouble. Moments like that made me question why I continue to torture myself as a sports fan. Then I texted my friend Joe Vallee of disgruntledfans.com while he was at the game and told him I'm going to have faith that the Phils pull out a 5-4 win.

Now, if you managed to make it past the 1:00 hour and stay awake for all of that to get to the top of the 9th inning then you saw the most bizarre display of managing you might ever see. First, Eric Bruntlett gets on base by getting plunked by J.P Howell. Then, Balfour comes into the game and Joe Maddon makes the most insane decision I've ever seen in a World Series game. He has right fielder Ben Zobrist put on his infielder's glove and come into the infield so they have a 5-man infield.

Mind you, the Phils have just one runner on base at this point with nobody out. Maddon was clearly trying to look like a genius and it back-fired on him. Bruntlett made it all the way to third base on a wild pitch and throwing error by Navarro.

And, then Victorino and Dobbs were each intentionally walked so they could pitch to Ruiz, who mind you is having a stellar World Series and may end up as the MVP now. Now, this must be the bizarro world.

So, rather than just bring in a new pitcher and play this game like a typical 0-out, 1-runner on situation Maddon decides to try to look like John McGraw by over-managing the game. And, between that and the constant delays and trips to the mound the Rays choked.

EVA Longoria had zero chance of making a play on Carlos Ruiz's infield single up the third base line with the bases loaded and ends up doing a horrible Brett Favre impression by under handing the ball 10 feet into the air, thus allowing Bruntlett to score.

There you have it-the most bizarre 9th inning in Phillies postseason history.

They are now just two wins away from breaking the vaunted Philly sports curse. Could it be possible? With nights like last night it almost seems like there's some sort of cosmic event resulting in the fortunes swing their way at the right moments.

One thing is probably certain, tonight won't be as bizarre of a game. I just hope they don't roll out that creepy fish song when the Rays players come onto the field. And, keep those EVA chants coming. That's proof why we're the greatest fan base in the country.

Blanton will take the hill tonight against Andy Sonnanstine. Game will start at 8:35, barring any cosmic events, disasters, or any other unforeseen event.