Strange things are afoot at the Circle K...

(originally posted 5/10/07)
Wednesday's Phillies game in Arizona didn't start out well for Philly Phans. Ancient D-backs SP Randy Johnson was dominant, hanging Circle K's on the first six Phillies he faced. He allowed just 3 hits and 0 walks over the first six shutout innings. Phillies SP Jamie Moyer allowed only 3 runs over his first six innings, but that seemed likely to be too much for the anemic Phils bats to overcome. The Phils seemed poised to leave Arizona with another loss to their discredit.

But everything can change with just one swing of the bat. Just ask Mitch Williams. Or William Foster. In the top of the 7th, the first three Phillies reached base against Johnson. Johnson was pulled from the game, and replaced by Brandon Medders. The Phillies countered with Ryan Howard, the sub .200-hitting NL MVP of last season. Howard limped to the plate with his sub .430 slugging percentage, as well as the hopes of Phillies Nation, in tow. His sore left quadriceps muscle had kept him out of the starting lineup, and seemed likely to limit his effectiveness here. But with one powerful swing, he changed the course of the game. And perhaps charted a new course for the rest of the Phillies season.

Howard's grand slam gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead. More importantly, it triggered an offensive explosion. (Or perhaps, the Phillies had finally kicked their jet lag.) Either way, the Phillies' bats rained down runs on the D-back pitchers in a torrent of hellacious fury. It was an onslaught more reminiscent of a 2007 MISL Champion Philadelphia Kixx performance, than a 2007 Philadelphia Phillies one.
When the game mercifully (for the D-backs, this time!) ended, Philadelphia had scored NINE unanswered runs, and Brett Myers had served further notice that the Phillies do, in fact, have a quality closer. The 9-3 victory allowed the Phillies to end their road trip on a high note, and breathed hope into the collective chests of Phillies Nation.

The Phillies return home to face the Cubs on Friday. They will face Rich Hill, who at 4-1, with a 1.73 ERA, has been one of the best young pitchers this season. Fortunately, the Phillies have an ace of their own up their sleeve, with Cole Hamels (4-1, 3.59 ERA) getting the start. Hopefully, the Phillies can build up some momentum, and roll themselves back into playoff contention. That Howard HR could serve as a turning point, well worthy of mention in the 2007 World Series DVD.