You wouldn’t think that a 9-2 game would offer all that much excitement other than maybe an impressive offensive display. But last night the Phillies and Giants game offered fans all kinds of fireworks, as it was the beginning of what could be a very interesting series.
After San Francisco took an early 1-0 lead, the Phillies opened things up scoring 5 unanswered runs. The Giants got it within 5-2 in the bottom of the 5th, but again Philadelphia increased the gap in the top of the next frame with 3 more runs.
It was at that point things started getting interesting. With the Phils up 8-2, Jimmy Rollins stole second base.
This action seems to have set things off.
There hasn’t been any confirmation from the Giants other than Carlos Beltran stating that he wouldn’t have done that, referring to stealing second while your team’s up 6 runs. But the action seemed to get to pitcher Ramon Ramirez or manager Bruce Bochy, because a batter later Ramirez hit Shane Victorino with a pitch right in the lower back.
Victorino wasn’t too happy and made a slight move towards the mound before being restrained by the home plate umpire. Ramirez also started heading towards the plate, but catcher Eli Whiteside was the one to get the action going.
After the play, Whiteside jumped to his feet and immediately got between the two. He then proceeded to hop around like he was in the middle of a boxing ring, eyeing up the surrounding Phils. Choosing his dance partner, Whiteside decided to go low on Placido Polanco and the two formed the center of the scrum.
The blob moved around the shallow infield and things seemed to be calming down a bit when another fight broke out on the left side of the pile. Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz and Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval joined the fun, and it gained the attention of Victorino who had been removed from the ruckus. The Hawaiian went Flyin’ back into the fray to come to the aid of Ruiz.
After the dust settled, Whiteside, Ramirez and Victorino were all ejected. Suspensions could certainly result as the videotape is reviewed.
But either way, what seemed to be an uneventful game 1 of a July weekend series could propel these clubs into a rivalry that could make its way through the postseason.
For more on the Phillies and Giants, be sure to check out That Balls Outta Here and Frisco Fastball.