Phillies History: Ryan Howard’s Best Moments in Philadelphia
By John Town
“Just Get Me to the Plate Boys”
The Phillies reached the playoffs for the third straight time in 2009, hoping to repeat their championship from the year prior. They had to face the Colorado Rockies in the NLDS, who eliminated the Phillies in 2007 in the same series.
Ryan Madson gave up three runs to the Rockies in the bottom of the eighth, seemingly losing the game for the Phillies. Despite that, Ryan Howard remained confident, telling his teammates, “just get me to the plate boys.”
Shane Victorino and Chase Utley reached base, putting men on first and second with two outs. In stepped Howard against Huston Street, Colardo’s shutdown closer. With a 2-2 count, Howard lined a double to the right field wall. Victorino and Utley scored, tying the game for the Phillies. Howard’s double was the biggest play of the game in terms of win probability added.
Howard came around to score on Jayson Werth’s RBI single, giving the Phillies the lead they needed to win the game. Charlie Manuel called on Scott Eyre in the ninth, who recorded two outs but also allowed the tying run to reach second base. Brad Lidge then came on, shutting the door on Colorado to win the game and the series.