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.
#12 Broxton Part III – August 12th
The comeback kids were at it again. This time it was against a familiar foe.
The Phillies have had tremendous success over the past several seasons against Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton. It all began back on October 13, 2008, during Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. With the game tied 5-5, Broxton entered a at critical moment in the series. Shane Victorino had just tied the game with a 2-run home run off of Corey Wade and momentum was back in the Phillies favor as they looked to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
After Carlos Ruiz reached base, utility veteran Matt Stairs stepped to the plate. The rest is history. Stairs ripped one into the night way out to right field and the Phillies were on their way to their first World Series title in 28 years.
Almost exactly one year later the Phillies got to Broxton again in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. Carlos Ruiz was hit by a pitch and Broxton walked Matt Stairs on four pitches. With the Phillies down to their final out, Jimmy Rollins ripped an RBI double into the right center field gap and the Phillies were heading back to the World Series.
Carlos Ruiz is mobbed by teammates after his game winning hit
On a Thursday night in mid August 2010, the Phillies got to Broxton once again.
“I think he probably knows that we beat him and things like that,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “It can bother him, maybe. I don’t know.”
“I have no idea,” added Phillies outfielder Ben Francisco. “I don’t know him. I’ve never talked to him.”
“No,” said Broxton when asked if his past struggles were on his mind. “Whatever happened last year, happened last year. I wasn’t thinking about that at all.”
Broxton might say he wasn’t thinking about his past struggles against the Phillies, but since he allowed the mammoth home run to Stairs in 2008, he has a 9.82 ERA and is just one for four in save opportunities against Philadelphia.
The Phillies celebrate after an improbable comeback
The Phillies needed to rally after starting pitcher Joe Blanton put the team in an early hole allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in the first inning. Chad Durbin, JC Romero, and Jose Contreras struggled out of the bullpen and the Phillies trailed by seven runs heading into the bottom of the 8th inning.
Down 9-2, the Phillies rallied for four runs off of Ronald Belisario, Kenley Jansen, and George Sherrill. Jayson Werth had an RBI double that scored two runs and Ben Francisco and Wilson Valdez added RBI singles. But Philadelphia still had an uphill battle heading into the 9th inning and started off against Broxton with a three run deficit.
Broxton led off the bottom of the 9th by hitting Placido Polanco. He then walked both Mike Sweeney and Jayson Werth to load the bases with nobody out. Ben Francisco stepped to the plate and hit what appeared to be a dead double play ball to 3rd base. However Casey Blake misplayed it and the ball went into left field. Polanco and Sweeney scored on the error and suddenly, it was a one run ball game.
Jayson Werth & Ben Francisco score the game winning runs for Philadelphia
“One of those, you don’t call it do-or-die but an in-between, and if you don’t come up with it, it kind of makes you look like an idiot,” Blake said. “Tonight I looked like an idiot. I’ve got to make that play, bottom line.”
After trailing by seven runs just moments earlier, the Phillies suddenly had the winning run on first base with Carlos Ruiz stepping to the plate. Ruiz, who enjoyed a career year in 2010, has thrived throughout his career in clutch situations.
“I always like that moment,” said Ruiz. “I was going to the plate relaxed. I was thinking (Manuel) showed his confidence to get a big hit right here, because right there you have a bunt situation. So I said, ‘You have to do something.’ I definitely was looking for a good pitch to hit, and he threw me a slider right down the middle, and I made good contact.”
This young Phillies fan used his 'voodoo' magic against Broxton and the Dodgers
Broxton’s 1-1 slider to Ruiz crossed right over the heart of the plate and the Phillies catcher didn’t miss. He crushed the pitch to deep left center field and both Werth and Francisco came all of the way around the bases to score.
The Phillies had shocked the Dodgers once again by coming back from a seven run deficit in the 8th inning to win 10-9.
“Nine-to-two is a hurdle,” said Charlie Manuel. “That’s when you bring out your four-leaf clovers, your rabbit’s feet, your horseshoes.”
Hey Charlie, don’t forget to bring out the most important thing.
Jonathan Broxton.
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