210 000 000 100 000 000 1 - W: Valdez (1-0)
You can watch a lot of baseball and not see a series of events like those that occurred in the early morning hours of May 26.
210 000 000 100 000 000 1 - W: Valdez (1-0)
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
You can watch a lot of baseball and not see a series of events like those that occurred in the early morning hours of May 26.
By the time it was over - 19 innings covering 6 hours and 11 minutes - a back-up infielder who had never thrown a major league pitch had one more win than 2010 NL Cy Young contender Ubaldo Jimenez.
Wilson Valdez pitched a scoreless 19th inning -- retiring Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, to boot -- before watching Jimmy Rollins and Raul Ibanez combine to drive home the game winner.
Your final:
Phillies 5, Reds 4
As amusing as Valdez's pitching performance was, the story of the night was one of the gutsiest pitching performance you will see. The last time Danys Baez threw as many as 58 pitches in a game, he was a 20-something-year-old rookie fresh out of Cuba. Last night, as a 33-year-old veteran, he threw 74. Baez pitched five scoreless innings, lowering his ERA from 4.19 to 3.33 in the process.
He was the last line of defense between the bullpen and a pitching cameo by Valdez, and he came through in a huge way.
Those who watch Baez operate behind scenes know that his performance last night was the epitome of who he is: a true professional, determined beyond all imagination, tough as sandpaper, and willing to do anything to contribute to a victory. Since signing with the Phillies two years ago, he hasn't done much on the field. But in the bullpen and in the clubhouse he has emerged as a strong veteran presence, particularly with injuries to Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras.
Last week, as Ryan Madson struggled with his command while warming in the bullpen, Baez shouted out some mechanical flaws he noticed. Madson went on to record the save. Whether it is working with and translating for Contreras or counseling the club's younger pitchers, Baez had evolved into a respected leader.
Last night the Phillies needed him on the mound. He gave them more than they ever could have expected.
In Philadelphia, it is the moments that define you. Maybe it is like that everywhere. But I know Philly. And in Philly, it is the moments that matter: the aging, veteran slugger swinging from his stirrups and crushing a go-ahead home run in the National League Championship Series; the square-nosed center fielder sprinting face first into an outfield fence in order to catch a fly ball; the all-world first baseman signing that contract and giving relevance to a long-suffering franchise.
Last night was Danys Baez's moment. He may never fulfill the expectations the Phillies had for him when they brought him aboard. He may never strike out a batter in the late innings of a tight game. But he can never be accused of not trying his damnedest.
Last night, his damnedest happened to be enough.
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Like I said in the other column: This is why you watch baseball. I was just telling my kids about those 2 '93 games (20 innings versus the Dodgers and the Padres double header that ended at 4:40am) when Gelb noted the 23 inning minor league game.
Nice job by (going backwards) Valdez, Baez, Herndon, Kendrick and Madson and Stutes. Romero walking guys all over the place again but we get the win. I left Bastardo out too. He was a little off today but I'll take it. He's young. I'm really liking Stutes. I like his little tough guy look when he walks off the mound. Seems like he has a little Oswalt in him.
Get some sleep Murph!
— s- amazing how many goats and heros were in one baseball game, glad the Phillies finished this one with the win!!!— danielboyer
- Early in the game, the Phillies let Travis Wood off the hook a couple of times. Frustrating, because the way the Reds were hitting Halladay a 3-1 lead was not going to hold up. But, the Fighting Phillies lived up to their name again...when all these players contributed to a win in 19 innings. Not every player is playing great at the same time (impossible in the game of baseball)...but they fought through it. These kind of games can define a season. And, another in a long list of classic games we've been fortunate to watch the Phillies be a part of since the '70s.— road515
- Baez and Valdez are both better pitchers than Hammels.— FanSince09
- Hammels? Is that a new player?— PhillyPhan4for4
- I live in Barcelona and woke up this morning at 6am and as usual, checked the Phillies score. To my great surprise, I said, JESUS, they are tied at 4 in the bottom of the 16th. I quickly signed on to MLB.com, hooked my Macbook up to my TV (a pleasure I usually only have for day games) woke up my 9 month old son and watched the final 3 innings.
My wife is Spanish and she didn't understand why it was so strange to see Valdez pitching. I said "Imagine Leo Messi playing goalkeeper."— Crystal Ball 
Comment removed.- Currently the best soccer play in the world. His club team is FC Barcelona and national team is Argentina. He plays forward and winger. — Clt Philly Fan
- Just like Crystal Ball, I woke up this morning in Europe, at my home in Geneva. Expecting to see a box score, I found a game still in progress instead. I watched the final half inning on mlb.com and then celebrated all breakfast by listening to the post-game on the Big Talker. My Norwegian fiancée didn't quite understand the big deal either, but she was nice enough to join me at the table and listen together :-)— curtis
Nice to hear from Phans from Europe, spent 4 yrs in Italy myself in the Air Force, worked swing shift on the flight line for most of that tour. After midnight chow, I would get home and watch MNF at 3 am, when it used to start at 9 am here. Great to bring back some memories, thanks guys.- Best thing about last night is Dany Baez will be shutdown for a couple days— Kenny Junod.
- @curtis .......... I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!— shawnmac
- crystal ball and curtis, nicely done with the foreign ladies. spanish and norwegian, nice!— FunCakes
- Oh come on for Once Baez does a spectacular job and you can't lay off? This was a great team win. Valdez is now in Stairs territory I can't wait to see the T-shirts that are already being printed in his honor.— Phillyphan26
