Ramirez grand slam powers Cubs over Phillies
Instant replay was available Thursday night for the first time in major league history, to settle any questionable home run calls.
There were no such disputes during the Cubs-Phillies clash at Wrigley Field. But any Cubs fans who missed the eighth inning might want to lobby the Baseball Advanced Media headquarters in New York for a copy of the unused replays.
After being shut down cold for seven innings by Philadelphia lefty Cole Hamels, the Cubs produced more late-inning lightning.
An Aramis Ramirez grand slam capped a 5-run rally in the eighth as the Cubs beat the Phillies 6-4.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella seemed spent when he arrived in the postgame interview room, but he got to celebrate his 65th birthday in grand fashion.
"What a great come-from-behind win," Piniella said. "Exciting. This place really got loud."
Hamels threw 7 impressive innings before the Philadelphia bullpen put itself in an unenviable position in the eighth - bases loaded, nobody out and Ramirez at the plate.
"I've said it to many people many a time," Cubs starter Ryan Dempster said. "Aramis Ramirez, for me, the guys I've played with in my entire career, is as clutch a hitter as I've ever seen. I always say he smells RBI, especially later in the game. It's something remarkable."
Ramirez has 12 game-winning RBI on the season, which ties Derrek Lee for the team lead.
"I've been able to do that since I was in the minor leagues," Ramirez said. "I've always been able to drive in runs. It's something I'm proud of, and I like to be in that situation late in the game."
The Phillies actually led the National League in bullpen ERA (3.13) heading into Thursday's action, but their eighth-inning performance was a colossal implosion.
Ryan Madson started it off by surrendering a pinch-hit home run to Mike Fontenot, making the score 4-2. Alfonso Soriano then crushed Madson's next pitch to the wall in right-center for a double. A Ryan Theriot single moved Soriano to third.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel summoned Chad Durbin from the pen, but he fared no better, walking Lee to load the bases before Ramirez blasted a 1-0 pitch deep into the bleachers in left-center. Center fielder Shane Victorino took about a half-step before giving up pursuit of the ball.
"Our guys, I tell you, they stay at it," Piniella said. "They don't back off. Good things happen when you play nine innings."
Dempster toiled for 114 pitches over 6 innings and left the game trailing 4-1 after Philadelphia plated 3 runs in the top of the sixth. Sean Marshall, Bob Howry and Kerry Wood kept the Phillies off the board for the final three innings.
Facing Hamels appeared to be a decent matchup for the Cubs. They had won nine of their last 10 against left-handed starters and were 26-12 for the season against lefties.
But Hamels is on a roll. In his last 3 starts, the 24-year-old has allowed 4 earned runs in 22 innings and hasn't walked anyone. He also gave up just 1 hit over 7 innings while beating the Cubs on April 12 in Philadelphia.
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