Ibanez demolishes Aaron Rowand's record for fastest to tri-state man-crush
Aaron Rowand’s legendary record of reaching full-on man-crush status in only 34 games as a Phillie has fallen in nearly half the time due to Raul Ibanez’s epic play, only 18 games into his Phillies career. Rauuuul capped off a 3-for-5 performance at the plate with a go-ahead grand slam in the Phillies’ 13-11 triumph over the bottom-dwelling Washington Nationals.
The previous man-love record was set back on May 11, 2006 when Rowand made a spectacular catch while smashing head first into the center field fence at Citizens Bank Park against the rival Mets with the bases loaded. The bloodied center fielder’s all-out hustle and love for the game earned him an instant free pass for the remainder of his baseball career and an early trip to the disabled list. The injury also led to Cole Hamels’ major league debut as he was called up to replace Rowand and made his first career start the following day.
Ibanez earned the record by hitting .342 with six home runs, 16 RBIs and 18 runs scored through 18 games. By comparison, Rowand hit .306 with only two homers, five RBIs and an un-Ibanez-like nine runs scored through his first 18 games as a Phillie. However, sacrificing your body to make a game-saving catch is easily worth a good 20 or so homers.
“I definitely don’t play this game for the records, but I appreciate the sentiment by the fans,” said Ibanez. “I consider myself lucky that I didn’t have to destroy my face to break the record. That’s always a good thing.”
Ibanez on pace to hit 74 homers, make everyone forget about Burrell by next week
Raul Ibanez is quickly becoming a fan favorite 11 games into his Phillies career. His walk-off two-run home run in the Phils’ 5-4 win over the Padres on Sunday gave him five this season and is tied for the National League lead in that category.
The left fielder was brought in to replace Pete Burrell, who signed with the Rays this past offseason. Ibanez’s quick start has already caused most casual fans to forget last year’s left fielder and all signs point to there being no recollection or historical record of Pete Incaviglia having ever existed as a Phillie come next week.
The Phillies will take on the Padres tonight in the series finale with Jamie Moyer taking the mound against Kevin Correia.
Derek Lowe, Braves totally kill everyone's World Series buzz
Derek Lowe pitched out of his mind for eight innings, allowing only two hits while striking out four as the Braves cock blocked what was supposed to be a continuation of our World Series championship celebration.
Brett Myers, who was filling in for an injured Cole Hamels, gave up three ‘no-doubters’ to Brian McCann, Jeff Francoeur (who couldn’t hit a beach ball off of a tee last year) and Jordan Schafer (who hadn’t seen a pitch above the Double-A level until Myers’ meatball in the second inning).
“I threw three very costly mistakes out there today,” Myers said. “If that one to McCann was just a half an inch lower and to the left, it might have at least stayed in the lower deck.”
Myers settled in after a rough first two innings and finished with six strikeouts in six innings while giving up eight hits and four runs. The bullpen then took over and smacked the Braves silly for three perfect innings.
In true Fightins fashion, the Phils tried to mount a comeback in the bottom the ninth inning with the Salsa dancing Mike Gonzalez on the mound for the Braves. Eric Bruntlett scored on a Jayson Werth single pushing the score to 4-1. There were two on base after Chase Utley took a walk, when lefthanders Ryan Howard and new Phil Raul Ibanez struck out to end the game and any hope for an undefeated season.
“We couldn’t come through and give everyone the win we knew they wanted,” Charlie Manuel said. “We can’t give the fans too much confidence in our team, though. The next thing you know, they’ll start acting like unbearble pricks like Red Sox fans…no sir…not on my watch.”