I am a pretty optimistic guy. I like to look on the bright side and always think good thoughts even when the situation looks pretty bad. But yesterday, as Tim Lincecum took to the mound in the 9th inning with a 3 run lead, I thought the game was over. Can you blame me? Lincecum, aside from giving up a solo homerun to Ryan Howard in the 5th, had been lights out all day. He had pitched 8 complete innings, and struck out 11 and it just seemed that the chances of the Phillies offense doing any damage against Lincecum were not too good. Greg Dobbs started out the top of the 9th by grounding out and it really looked like the Phils were dead. The negative thoughts began to creep into my mind: they would get swept by the Giants and end their road trip with a 3-6 record. Victorino was up next, and Lincecum, for the first time all day walked a batter, on 4 pitches no less. This was enough for the Giants manager. With Lincecum's pitch count at 106, and an all-star closer Brian Wilson warming up in the bullpen, Bruce "The Genius" Bochey, waddled out to the mound, and took out 2 time Cy Young Award Winner Tim Lincecum. A ray of hope for the Phillies. After getting Placido Polanco to line out for the 2nd out of the inning, the Phillies were down to their final out. Up next was Chase Utley who smacked a single, his 1000th career hit. Ryan Howard worked a walk, and suddenly the Phillies had the bases loaded and they were very much alive in the game. Jayson Werth, a true gamer in every sense, stepped to the plate, a look of shere determination on his face. I have seen many incredible at-bats during my time as a Phillies fan, and Jayson's at-bat vs Brian Wilson had to be one of the best I've ever seen. He fouled off pitches, took pitches and ultimately was able to hit an unbelievable bases clearing double that JUST dropped in fair territory. It was so close it hit the chalk on the foul line in right field. The Phillies had tied the game and wiped away all of Tim Lincecum's hard work in a matter of minutes. The Phillies were unable to do any more damage in the 9th, but eventually were able to scrap out the win in 11 innings by a final score of 7-6. The extra innings included an incredible play at the plate by catcher Brian Schneider. The win on Wednesday prevented the Phillies from being swept and also turned a bad road trip into an OK one as the Phillies finished their trip with a record of 4-5. Not bad considering they played terrible virtually the entire road trip. The Phillies didn't play well at all in San Francisco. Roy Halladay didn't pitch well on Monday and neither did Jamie on Teusday. The offense was asleep for virtually the whole series. To be able to finish 4-5 on the trip is positive indeed for the Phils. Now the Phillies enter a vital 10 game homestand in which they will face the Mets, Cardinals, and the Braves. This homestand is crucial for the Phillies who after a hot start have just been coasting especially in their last 10 games. Now the Phillies have to buckle down and really do some damage in their next 10 games, and re secure their spot at the top of the N.L. East.
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