Before you read this article I think it would be best for you to first watch the video by clicking here, as words can only do so much to describe what went down last night in San Francisco.
The Phillies were leading 8-2 in the top of the 6th inning when Giants pitcher Ramon Ramirez plunked Shane Victorino in the backside. Vic tossed his bat in anger and started walking toward the mound. The home plate umpire got in front of Shaner while Giants catcher Eli Whiteside started hopping up and down like a little school girl ready to slap as both benches cleared.
Like I said Whiteside was hopping up and down and when he saw Placido Polanco approaching homeplate he attempted to tackle him and from there all hell broke loose. From what I saw on the replay there was definitely some shoving but it was hard to tell if any real punches were thrown. My favorite part of the whole brawl was when Phillies hitting coach Gregg Gross was holding Victorino back when Shaner stiff armed him and he managed to find his way back into the middle of the fight.
In all honesty, Shane was being held back by the home plate umpire right after he was plunked, and if it wasn't for Whiteside's tackle attempt against Placido Polanco/hopping up and down like an excited girl scout, I don't think any real fighting would have happened. The two teams would have just met in the middle of the field, exchanged some choice words and that would have been the end of it.
But I'm kind of happy that the fight went down. Not only does it motivate the Phillies who are already on a rampant 8 game winning streak, but it also brings them together and bonds them in a way that even winning games can't do. Think about what must have been going through Ryan Howard or Chase Utley's head when they see Shane Victorino, their teammate and in a sense brother, getting intentionally thrown at. A brawl like this was just what the Phillies needed as I expect them to now use this as extra motivation to four game sweep the lowly Giants.
As for my thoughts towards the Giants intentionally hitting Shaner all I can say is really? You're losing 8-2 to a world class team like the Phillies and you have the audacity to hit one of our guys. You may be the defending World Champs, but you have absolutely no right to think that you can hit someone on the Phillies and get away with it.
Aside from the brawling the Phils dominated the Giants once again, putting up a 4 spot in the 4th thanks to a Shaner solo blast, a Raul Ibanez ground out, and another John Mayberry homerun, this time a 2 run shot. After that the Phils continued to pour it on and the Vanimal did a solid job of keeping the game in front of him and keeping his pitch count down. The Phils eventually won by a final of 9-2.
Tomorrow will be Cole Hamels vs Matt Cain in a nationally televised game that will sure to be filled with a lot of tension. It will be yet another game with a playoff type atmosphere and very entertaining to say the least.
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