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Andrew Zarzour's pitch count going into the ninth inning was just 105, and he had so much adrenalin pumping he could probably throw 105 more before feeling the effects in his arm. Obviously, there was no one warming up in the bullpen for Philadelphia and no one would dare to even get up and stretch unless Zarzour completely fell apart.
The Big Z's first pitch of the frame went a little outside to Jason Romano. Ball one.
Zarzour came inside with the second pitch, and Romano connected with a hefty swipe. The ball bounced in the infield and was headed right to young second baseman Bernie Castro, who had been drafted by the Phillies last summer and had already made the Big Club in less than a year. An easy 4-3 play in the making for the rising star.
But Castro booted it! It was only his third error of the season in 42 starts, but what a way to begin a ninth inning with a no-hitter on the line!
Zarzour grimaced like he had been stabbed but quickly tried to turn his attention to Greg Dobbs, the next Giants batter. Though Romano was a track star on the bases, Zarzour paid him no mind. A double-play ball certainly would cure the ills of Castro's mistake.
Zarzour's first pitch to Dobbs came right down the pipe for a strike. Dobbs didn't even move. The second pitch was high and tight, and Dobbs took a stab at it. He poked it toward first base, and the Phillies Jorge Cantu quickly fired to second base to wipe Romano off the bases. There wasn't enough time to turn two, but at least the lead runner was gunned down.
One down and two to go! Phillies fans roared.
That brought Jeff Keppinger to the plate, a pinch-hitter for the pitcher's spot. The 28-year-old, who usually started at second base but had this day off from starting duties, had a robust .292 average in 185 at-bats, with 10 doubles, five homers and 17 RBIs.
He was batting .296 against left-handers but didn't stand a chance against Zarzour on this day. The Big Z came right at him with three blazing fastballs and struck Keppinger out boom, Boom, BOOM!
Keppinger about screwed himself into the ground with a big swing on the third strike. Citizens Bank Park went crazy. ESPN's Baseball Tonight chimed right in with a replay of Keppinger's last whiff.
Andrew's mom, who had gotten up to pace at the start of the inning, was now holding fervently onto the arm of a stadium usher she didn't even know. Andrew's dad just smiled looking at over the field, wanting to yell to the whole baseball universe "THAT'S MY BOY!!!"
One out to go and Phillip Zarzour's 7-foot-2 "chip off the old block" would go down in baseball history...
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