[jg2977]

"Oh my goodness gracious... how about that eighth inning!"

Hello again, friends, I'm Verne Lundquist, and what a stunning turn of events we've witnessed here at Citizens Bank Park. On a brisk October afternoon in Philadelphia—sixty degrees, a gentle breeze from right to left—it looked for all the world like the Miami Marlins were going to sneak out with Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.

They were leading 4-3 going into the bottom of the eighth... and then, well, as they say in the business—the wheels came off.

Richard Oviedo came in out of the bullpen and faced a city’s worth of problems. Bases loaded? Check. Crowd on its feet? You bet. Pitching to Vince Brown? Oh, dear...

And there it goes! A 1-2 fastball lashed into right for a go-ahead RBI single—5-4 Phillies! But they were just getting warmed up. Moments later, Izzy Garcia—and let me tell you, this young man was magnificent today—he stepped up and launched a three-run home run that brought the house down.

“YES, SIR!” Ten runs for the Phillies. Seven of them in the eighth. The kind of inning you dream about when you’re nine years old and playing whiffle ball in the backyard.

Garcia finished with a homer, two hits, three RBIs and more swagger than a brass band. Vince Brown drew three walks, scored, drove one in—the man’s eye was sharper than a tailor’s needle.

As for the Marlins? Twelve walks drawn. Fifteen men left on base. They were gifted every opportunity but couldn’t cash in. J. Sachtjen tried—two hits, two RBIs—but the rest of the lineup... not today.

And I tell you what: hats off to Ivan Carrizosa, the Phillies starter. Wild? Oh, absolutely—a playoff record nine walks! But somehow, someway, he only gave up one earned run. You try explaining that to a pitching coach.

Folks, the Phillies now hold a 1-0 lead in this best-of-three series. They’ll go for the knockout tomorrow. And if today is any indication, the city of Philadelphia is in for a postseason to remember.

So long from Citizens Bank Park... and as always, I say—“You just never know.”