Phillies Top Moments of 2010 #20: Fair or Foul?

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. It’s time to look back on the top moments of 2010 leading up to the number one memory which will be unveiled on New Years Eve.

#20 Fair or Foul? – August 5th

Nothing like a bit of controversy to spice up a ball game!

It was a roller coaster evening and in a game that had many ups and downs the Phillies came out ahead defeating the Florida Marlins by a final score of 5-4 and sweeping a 3-game set at Sun Life Stadium.

However the main story from the Thursday night game came in the bottom of the 9th inning.  With a runner on 2nd base, Marlins 1st baseman Gaby Sanchez hit a ball down the 3rd base line that was ruled foul by umpire Bob Davidson.  Replays showed that the ball may have been fair which would have ended the game in walk off fashion for Florida.

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez argues with 3rd base umpire Bob Davidson

“In my opinion, where it goes over the bag, you can’t tell,” said Davidson after the game.  “After a bounce, it came an inch or two on the fair side, but it was very close.  But I’m right there.  I know what I saw.”

Marlins interim manager Edwin Rodriguez disagreed with Davidson’s assessment.  “I’ve been in this game for 30 years, and I have the highest respect for the umpires,” said Rodriguez.  “That was the worst call I’ve ever seen in my 30 years in baseball.  That ball was a fair ball by six inches.  He was never even looking at the play.”

The game between the Phillies and Marlins took many turns before getting to that controversial point.  Newly acquired starter Roy Oswalt was much sharper in his second career start for the Phillies allowing just 3 hits over 6 and 1/3 innings of work.  Oswalt did struggle with his command walking 4 batters and left the game in the 7th inning after allowing 2 base runners with a 2-0 lead.

Phillies fans in Miami endured plenty of rain throughout the series to watch their favorite team sweep

The Phillies turned to their bullpen needing 8 outs to secure Oswalt’s first win with Philadelphia.  Lefty JC Romero entered the game and struggled with his command.  After allowing an RBI double to Donnie Murphy, Romero intentionally walked Hanley Ramirez to load the bases.  He then walked rookie OF Logan Morrison on four pitches to tie the game.  Jose Contreras entered the game and immediately allowed a two-run single to Gaby Sanchez and the Marlins had a 4-2 lead.

The Phillies were down to their final three outs and once again rallied in dramatic fashion.  Placido Polanco reached base on a Hanley Ramirez error and Ross Gload singled up the middle to put the tying run on base with no outs.  Raul Ibanez then doubled to left field to bring Philadelphia within a run and Jayson Werth’s singled to tie the game.

Philadelphia had 2nd and 3rd with no outs in a tie game and ended up running themselves out of the inning.  Rookie OF Domonic Brown hit a dribbler to the right side and Ibanez was thrown out at the plate.  Werth was then caught leaning off of 2nd base and Brown was caught stealing with Carlos Ruiz at the plate to end the inning.

Just like that, it once again seemed the Phillies had lost the momentum.

Carlos Ruiz's 10th inning homer wins it for the Phillies

But after the Marlins were unable to capitalize in the bottom of the 9th due to Davidson’s call, Ruiz got another chance at the plate to be the hero.  He didn’t disappoint.  Ruiz hit Will Ohman’s 3-2 pitch deep to left center field for his 5th home run of the season to give the Phillies a 5-4 lead.  Brad Lidge shut the door in the bottom of the 10th as the Phillies pulled out a wild victory.

With Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Shane Victorino all out due to injury, Ruiz stressed the importance of picking up the victory.  “Every game is big for us,” said Ruiz.  “The other day I was talking to my ma, and I said, ‘We’ve got to keep going and put everything together so when they do come back, everything will be better.’  So far the guys are doing pretty good.”

The Phillies continued to battle without key players and took advantage of a potentially generous call to complete a critical sweep of the Marlins as they began the stretch run of the 2010 season.