Personal note: I would like to apologize for the delaying in finishing this countdown. I had been battling some medical issues over the past several weeks but I am fortunately on the mend and looking forward to contributing to this great website. I thank you all for your support and I hope you are enjoying a look back at the Phillies 2010 season!
As the year comes to a close it’s time to look back at some of the top moments from the Philadelphia Phillies 2010 season. While the team came short of their ultimate goal of winning a World Series championship, there were still several great memories from the past year. Here is a look back on the top 25 moments of 2010 Philadelphia Phillies season.
#8 Lost in the Lights – October 8th
Sometimes it pays to be lucky.
One game after Roy Halladay threw just the second no hitter in Major League Baseball postseason history, the Phillies took the field looking to take a commanding two games to none lead over the Cincinnati Reds in their best-of-five National League Divisional Series matchup.
If Game One of the NLDS was described as a masterpiece, Game Two will be remembered for mistakes. Heading into the postseason, one of the main factors between the Phillies and Reds was postseason experience. The Phillies had developed plenty over the past four seasons, where as Cincinnati was back in the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years.
The Phillies took advantage of Cincinnati's mistakes to take a commanding 2-0 series lead
During the regular season, the Reds tied the San Diego Padres for the fewest errors in the National League with just 72. However on this cold Friday night in early October, Cincinnati committed four errors, which led to five unearned runs as they blew a fifth-inning, 4-0 lead.
“It was just a weird, weird, awkward day,” said Phillies 1st baseman Ryan Howard following the 7-4 victory to give the Phillies a commanding series lead.
“It was unusual,” added closer Brad Lidge. “I think things like that can happen to anybody, but I think with our experience, we really don’t let it happen to us very often. Obviously, a lot of guys on that team are in the postseason for the first time in the career. A little different adrenaline. A little different atmosphere. I think fortunately for us, we have the experience of playing in just about every postseason situation there is over the last couple of years. So, yeah, I think it would be very rare for us to make mistakes like that.”
Cincinnati’s mistakes turned out to be Philadelphia’s ultimate gain.
The Reds responded at the start of Game Two in impressive fashion as leadoff hitter Brandon Phillips homered to left-field on the third pitch of the game off of Phillies righty Roy Oswalt. Cincinnati extended their lead to 2-0 thanks to two separate errors on Chase Utley in the top of the second. In total, Oswalt allowed four runs on five hits over five innings in his worst outing in over a month.
“I knew that as long as we didn’t get blown out, we have a chance,” Oswalt said. “I was trying to throw a quality start. I knew I wasn’t going to go out there and throw a no-hitter.”
Cincinnati starter Bronson Arroyo used an assortment of off-speed pitches to keep the Phillies offense at bay. The 17-game winner allowed just two unearned runs on four hits over five and one-third innings of work. However, things began to fall apart in the bottom of the 5th.
Brandon Phillips, who led National League second baseman in fielding percentage, booted a two-out grounder from Shane Victorino. On the very next play, seven-time gold glove winner Scott Rolen bobbled a Placido Polanco grounder. Chase Utley atoned for his poor defense in the top of the second with an RBI single to right field to cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Reds shaky defense and pitching was their ultimate downfall in Game 2
In the bottom of the 6th, Arroyo walked Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth to start the inning. Reliever Arthur Rhodes then hit Carlos Ruiz with a pitch on the left knee and righty Logan Ondrusek hit pinch-hitter Ben Francisco in the helmet to load the bases with no outs. Ondrusek then walked Shane Victorino allowing a run to score and making it a 4-3 ball game.
Things completely fell apart for the Reds in the bottom of the 7th.
Cincinnati phenom Aroldis Chapman made his postseason debut by firing 100+ mph fastballs out of the bullpen. His second pitch, a 101 mph fastball, hit Chase Utley.
Or did it?
“I’m not sure,” said Utley. “It was pretty close. At first I thought it was going to hit me in my head. Fortunately, it didn’t. And he throws so hard. I felt like I thought it hit me, so I put my head down and I ran to first.”
“I don’t think at any time that the ball hit him,” added Chapman through an interpreter.
Instant replay was inconclusive as to whether Utley was hit by the pitch. Jayson Werth followed with a grounder to 3rd base but Utley beat Scott Rolen’s throw to 2nd base on another controversial call.
Jay Bruce's costly error gave the Phillies the lead for good
After struggling throughout the entire 2010 season due to injury, Jimmy Rollins stepped to the plate in a familiar big spot. The Phillies shortstop hit a routine line drive to right fielder Jay Bruce. It should have been the second out of the inning, but Bruce lost the ball due to the combination of the bright lights and white rally towels and completely whiffed of the play. The ball sailed past him and Drew Stubbs attempted chase it down from center field. His relay throw to Brandon Phillips was bobbled and the Reds collapse was complete.
“It’s embarassing,” Bruce said. “I take great pride in my defense, but there was nothing I can do about it. It was in the lights. I know they’re exceptionally bright. Other than that, I’ve never had another ball get lost in them. I feel like I let my team down. It was in the lights the whole time. I tried to stick with it. It was a pretty helpless feeling.
“That was an uncommon night for us,” added Reds manager Dusty Baker. “I don’t think it’s pressure as much as it is inexperience.
The Phillies took advantage of Cincinnati’s inexperience to take their first 2-0 series lead in a postseason season since the team’s resurgence began during the 2007 season. Thanks to a little bit of luck, Philadelphia was well on its way to its third straight National League Championship Series.
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