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."

Hamels Can't Find Location In Loss

Also seen on Phillies Nation.

Location, location, location. Cole Hamels' problem haunted him as he continued to struggle with his command in the Phillies 4-2 loss to the New York Mets.

After an hour and sixteen minute rain delay, baseball was underway. Ryan Howard continued his hot hitting with a RBI single in the first inning. The Mets tied the game at one on Daniel Murphy's ground out.

Hamels can't seem to find control of his fastball. Carlos Ruiz set up down and in to Angel Pagan. The pitch was right down the middle, resulting in a run batted in for Pagan. For Jeff Francouer, Ruiz's glove was positioned high and out of the strike zone. Again, the pitch was down the middle, and Francouer took advantage. Francouer (3-for-4) homered and the Mets had a 3-1 lead. The Mets added another run on Omir Santos' sacrifice fly in foul territory, in which Howard made a terrific catch on.

Because Hamels is unable to locate his fastball, he can not throw his changeup effectively. His velocity is there, he just needs command of his fastball to set up his off-speed pitches. It isn't that he is close; he is missing his spots badly. Once Hamels gains command of his pitches and stays away from the middle of the plate, he'll be the successful pitcher he once was.

Hamels lasted five innings. He gave up four earned runs on ten hits. At least he made them hit their way on. He struck out six and did not walk a batter. No Phillies starter has walked a batter since Sunday. Chan Ho Park's walk to Jeremy Reed ended a 33 walk-less streak by the Phillies staff.

The Phillies had plenty of chances to score, but did not capitalize. They were 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base. After Pedro Feliz's RBI single, the Phillies had a golden opportunity to score in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins each popped out to the infield, ending the threat.

Down 4-2, the Phillies made some noise in the ninth. With one out and runners at the corners, Francisco Rodriguez struck out Chase Utley and Howard to end the game. Even though the Phillies have a 13.5 game lead over the Mets, this series isn't one to take lightly. As shown in K-Rod's game ending strikeout celebration, the Mets want to beat their arch rivals.

Another Mets Fail

It doesn't take long for new Met, Jeff Francouer, to fit in with his new team.

Courtesy Walk Off Walk.

The Mets are now 44-50, and 10.5 games behind the Phillies.

Mets and Braves Swap Oufielders

The New York Mets traded Ryan Church to the Atlanta Braves for Jeff Francouer.

Chruch, 30, is batting .280 with 2 HR and 22 RBI and .707 OPS.

Francouer, 25, has one of the best arms in the league. He is also batting .250 with 5 HR and 35 RBI and .634 OPS.

It's a fairly even trade. Francouer's five year age advantage and a semi-increase in defense is good for the Mets, however he can go into painfully long slumps.