There were two absolutely stunning plays in this game, so
good, each one on its own was worth the price of admission for those in
attendance.
Michael Martinez may have helped extend Hamels'
shoddy performance with some amazing glove work in the first. With a
runner on, and the infield at double play depth, the timely Triple-A
call-up backhanded a sharply hit ground ball headed through the middle,
and as he was falling to the turf, Martinez flipped the ball from his
glove to Jimmy Rollins for the force at second. I can't do it justice
writing about it, but it might be the most impressive defensive play by a
Phillie this season.
[watch video of Martinez's flashy play here]
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Amazing as that was, Jim Thome may have
outdone him. Not in the field obviously, as Thome as been relegated to
DH during interleague play. However, the future Hall-of-Fame slugger did
hit a baseball to a part of Target Field that few ball players will
ever visit. Thome's two-run shot to straightaway centerfield was the
definition of a bomb, and unlike Martinez's great play in the field, I
KNOW another Phillie hasn't hit one like that this season. It's a shame
he might not be able to help this club once they're done with this
portion of the schedule.