Hated To Hero

Baseball is a crazy game. The totally unexpected happened from an unlikely source during the Phillies 9-7 win over the New York Mets. Eric Bruntlett had quite the eventful day, including a game ending unassisted triple play.

Before Pedro Martinez could take the mound, the Phillies threw up a six spot. Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz each hit three run home runs in the first inning against Oliver Perez.

Bad Ollie showed up. After allowing six earned runs on four hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning, Jerry Manuel had enough. He pulled Perez in the middle of an at-bat, after falling behind 3-0 to Martinez.

Pedro wasn't completely dominant either-- at least to start. Angel Pagan led off with an inside the park home run. Unsure about Citi Field's ground rules, Shane Victorino raised his hand after the ball wedged under the padding. The umpires did not make a call, and Pagan rounded the bases. Raul Ibanez picked up the ball and threw it in, but it was too late. Even though it was beneath the padding, the ball was in play, according to the official rules. The Mets added another run on Jeff Francouer's RBI triple.

The Phillies tacked on runs with Martinez's RBI single, Jimmy Rollins' sacrifice fly, and a run scored by Matt Stairs on a couple wild pitches. But, the Mets kept adding on runs as well. Pagan homered again (this time over the fence), Daniel Murphy hit a RBI single and Anderson Hernandez's double kept it a close game, 9-6.

Pedro allowed four earned runs in six innings. He allowed seven hits, walked one, and struck out five of his former teammates. Pedro settled down after a rough first few innings; he retired the last six batters he faced.

With Chase Utley getting a regular day off, Eric Bruntlett got the start at second base. Not much is expected from Bruntlett, who entered today with a .128 average. He started off by going 3-for-3 and made some solid defensive plays.

In the bottom of the ninth, Bruntlett was robbed of his fourth hit. Jeff Francouer made a diving catch, but the umpire originally called it a trap. Heads up, Bruntlett hustled his way to third for a triple, but the play was overruled by third base umpire. It would have been a new career high for Bruntlett for most hits in a game.

Coming off a 1-2-3 save last night, Brad Lidge looked to make it back-to-back. Pagan grounded a single through the legs of Ryan Howard. On the error, Pagan advanced to third. Then, Bruntlett committed an error which scored Pagan. Next, Murphy grounded a single up the middle, booted by Bruntlett. Both of Bruntlett's miscues were plays that Utley would've made easily. The Mets were down two with two men on base and nobody out. With Lidge's struggles, the Mets were on their way to winning this thing.

On the 2-2 pitch, Castillo and Murphy were off. Covering second, Francouer lined a drive right at Bruntlett. Bruntlett stepped on second base for out number two. With Murphy on his way to second, Bruntlett applied the tag for the third out. An unbelievable, game-ending, unassisted triple play!

The last Phillie to turn an unassisted triple play was Mickey Morandini in 1992. Bruntlett's was the first in National League history that ended the game. The last game ending unassisted triple play was turned by Johnny Neun in 1927.

The Mets keep finding new ways to lose and today was no different. Eric Bruntlett went from hated, to hero, back to hated and hero again. Who knows, maybe he can do something shocking again tomorrow. After all, Charlie Manuel has already stated he'll play tomorrow giving Jimmy Rollins a break.

Originally posted on Phillies Nation.

Call of the Day: The Phillies turned a different type of Triple Play in 2007.

"Smashed. Ooh, that's a double play ball. That's a triple play! That's a triple
play, DiNero called him out. DiNero called him out at third base. He didn't have
to re-tag him. And that is a triple play! What a way to start a game! Here it is
again, take a look. Now DiNero immediately raises his arm saying that he
caught it, so it's an out there. Now, he-- Dobbs didn't have to re-tag him
here. But at any rate, nothing caused for Colorado."

Pedro's Return

Philadelphia Phillies (70-50) at New York Mets (57-66)
Pedro Martinez (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Oliver Perez (3-3, 6.06 ERA)

Pedro Martinez will be making his first start against his former team. Martinez spent four season in New York, winning 32 games and posting a 3.88 ERA. Pedro's last outing was cut short due to a rain delay.

Pedro will be opposed by Oliver Perez. Perez is 2-3 with a 3.55 ERA in 13 starts against the Phillies. Sometimes Oliver Perez will dominate. Other times he will get lit up. Perez faced the Phillies earlier this year and lasted 1/3 of an inning. He gave up four runs on five hits and six walks.

Chase Utley will not be in today's lineup, recieving a day off against the left-hander. Lefties are hitting .205 against Perez this season. Eric Bruntlett will start at second base.

In injury news, Greg Dobbs was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a minor tweak to his right calf. Miguel Cairo was called up from Triple-A. To make room for Cairo on the 40-man roster, Antonio Bastardo was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

In other injury news, Brett Myers is scheduled to pitch in a rehab appearance today. J.C Romero and Clay Condrey are scheduled to throw tomorrow.

DeRosa To Cards

The St. Louis Cardinals acquired Mark DeRosa from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named later.

The 34 year old, DeRosa, is a very versatile player, playing almost any position. DeRosa is batting .270 with 13 HR and 50 RBI this year. DeRosa was traded from the Chicago Cubs to Indians during the off season. He is in the final year of a three year deal that pays him $5.5 million this year.

In 23.2 innings, Perez has a 4.18 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He has struck out 11.4 batters per nine innings. Perez is young, and still has a lot of potential.

The Cardinals are also pursuing Matt Holliday from the Oakland A's.

Mets Sign Perez; Other Updates

The New York Mets have agreed to a deal with Oliver Perez, pending a physical. The deal is 3 years, worth $36 million.

Perez was 10-7 with a 4.22 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 180 SO, in 2008. Ollie's stats are like a roller coaster, up and down. Perez had an unbelievable year in 2004 with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he posted a 2.98 ERA. Since, he has had seasons where his ERA was above 5. In between, he has had a respectable ERA.

The problem for Perez is the walks. He has a career 1.42 WHIP and 4.76 BB/9. When Perez is able to limit the walks, he is usually effective and will strike batters out. However, when Perez is off, he's way off and very wild. Perez can be very inconsistent. You never know if you'll get the good Ollie, or bad Ollie.

It is also being reported that the Mets are not interested in Manny Ramirez, but the Los Angeles Dodgers have made an offer.

The Baltimore Orioles acquired Rich Hill from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later.

In 2007, Hill had a break out season going 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 183 SO. However, in 2008, he pitched just 19.2 innings with an ERA of 4.12. He was troubled with back spasms and sent down to AAA where he sported an ERA over 5.

The Oakland A's acquired Michael Weurtz from the Cubs in exchange for Minor Leaguers Richie Robnett and Justin Sellers. Weurtz was 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 45 games last season, also spending time in AAA.

Caribbean Series: Brad Knox pitched 6+ innings of no hit ball to lead Venezuela over the Dominican Republic, 3-2.

Ronnie Paulino (Dominican Republic) was 1-3 with a walk.