Ibanez Walks Off

Welcome to Philadelphia Raul Ibanez. Greeted with chants of "Rauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul" and shaving cream pies, Ibanez loves every minute of it.

Chan Ho Park started today against Josh Geer, and lasted 5 innings. He allowed four earned runs on eight hits and a walk, including Adrian Gonzalez's fifth home run of the year. His brother, Edgar Gonzalez hit a tripe in which Ibanez could not make the play on, eventually resulting in two runs for the Padres.

The Phillies didn't start to get to Geer until the 6th inning. Eric Bruntlett, who got the start at shortstop over the slumping Jimmy Rollins, reached on an error. The error proved to be costly when Chase Utley smoked his fourth home run of the season, a two run shot putting the Phils within two runs.

In the eighth inning Jimmy Rollins came off the bench and hit a pinch hit solo home run and it became a 4-3 game.

Padres closer Heath Bell, who is 7/7 in save opportunities, was not available after pitching several days without rest. The Padres opted to go with Edwin Moreno, who hadn't allowed a run in seven innings.

Ryan Howard led off the ninth with a bloop single that Jody Gerut couldn't make the diving catch on. Ibanez got ahead 2-0, and Moreno threw a changeup that Ibanez crushed. The only question, fair or foul? Moreno waved it foul, but it stayed fair for his team leading fifth home run. A walk off Raul Ibanez!

"Our lineup is good for him. He fits," Charlie Manuel said of Ibanez. "I
always liked him as a hitter in the American League. He was an offensive player
back when I saw him. He's swinging the bat real good right now."

QUOTE SOURCE: Phillies.com