Francisco Treat Lifts Phils to 2-1 Series Lead
Ben
Francisco, the all but forgotten man who came to Philadelphia in the trade that
originally brought Cliff Lee to the Phillies, did what the ace pitcher couldn’t
do. He delivered a win in Wild Card Series against the Cardinals with a 3-run pinch-hit
home run, giving the Phillies a 2-1 series lead.
Francisco’s
appearance ended Cole Hamels’ night. He labored in the early innings, but
managed to keep the Cardinals from crossing home plate through 6 innings. Vance
Worley, Antonio Bastardo, and Brad Lidge, struggled through the next 1 1/3
innings, somehow giving up just one run.
Ryan
Madson relieved Lidge, who gave up two hits without recording an out with the
bases loaded to try to record a 5-out save. Madson was helped tremendously on
his second pitch by Chase Utley, who fielded a grounder close to the normal
second baseman fielding position and still tagged the bag himself and threw to
first for the double-play.
Madson
eventually worked through the 9th ininng despite giving up a leadoff
double to Albert Pujols, who scored with just one out to make the score 3-2.
Madson retired Ryan Theriot – the only pitcher to get the shortstop out all
night – to finally seal the win.
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