Rings and a Rally

Yesterday, April 8th, the Phillies received their 2008 World Series Championship rings before their game against Atlanta. All of last year's team with the exception of So Taguchi was there to get their rings. The ring is made out of 14 carat white gold and is covered with 103 diamonds. That's some heavy duty bling! Then, the Phillies had to separate from their rings, say good bye to their returning teammates who are now playing elsewhere, (Pat Burrell did pretty good as the Ray's designated hitter in the past few games, but he should be playing left field, especially for the Phillies) and finish off their opening series against the Atlanta Braves. The game didn't start off very well. Before long the Phils were down 10 to 3. The game went on with this score for awhile, until the bottom of the 7th inning. Shane Victorino came up, hit a fly ball that was caught, and registered the only out the Phillies would have for nearly a half hour. Chase Utley came up, hit a single, and it all started from there. Ryan Howard was next. With a 2-2 count, he was hit by a pitch and took first base, Utley advancing to 2nd. The Braves then put in a new pitcher, who walked Jayson Werth. The bases were then loaded and person after person in the Phillies line up were walked. This of course meant that run after run was scored. In fact, the batting order nearly made 2 trips through this half inning, with the first 5 batters at the the plate twice. When the inning was over. The Phils had the 12-10 lead. Nothing happened in the 8th inning, and then Brad Lidge came in to close for the Phillies. He let off a home run but ultimately got the save. The Phillies won 12-11. The 10-3 deficit was the biggest the Phillies had overcome since 1990, and this game was their first win of the season. Maybe they should get fancy rings before every game, if it makes them play like that.