It's just that Pat Burrell wouldn't let that happen.

Burrell landed the biggest blow in a dramatic 6-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants in 10 innings last night at Citizens Bank Park. Rowand, returning to Philadelphia for the first time since he signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Giants in the off-season, hit what appeared to be a game-winning homer in the top of the 10th inning. But Burrell, who has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball for more than a month, hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.

The victory kept the Phillies in first place in the National League East.

"It's been a while," said Burrell, who hasn't had a walk-off homer since April 10, 2002, against the Atlanta Braves. "I'm usually not in the game at the end. It's a nice feeling, man."

Quite a range of emotions from Rowand's homer to Burrell's homer, huh?

Rowand became immortalized in Philadelphia sports history for his memorable catch May 11, 2006, when he broke his face running into the center-field fence.

For who? For what?

For his teammates, he said.

To win, he said.

"I was nervous going into the game," said Rowand, who received a nice ovation before his first at-bat in the second inning. "Being the first time back in a city that I played in before. It was a night to remember, very emotional that first at-bat."

But Burrell's homer stole the show. Chase Utley was on first base when Burrell stepped up with two outs. Giants righthander Brian Wilson fell behind, 3-0, when Burrell fouled off a couple fastballs.

"It took me two swings to kind of time him up," Burrell said. "Fortunately, he threw a good pitch to hit.

Gone.

"He was throwing really hard," Burrell said. "I got to 3-0 and said, 'I've got to take a chance at this.' Just take a swing and see where I'm at. Kind of gauge the speed to the swing."

The blast was the third two-run homer of the game for the Phillies, matching shots by Utley and Pedro Feliz. It bailed out J.C. Romero (2-0), getting him a win that looked doubtful after he surrendered Rowand's homer.

It was the Phillies' ninth comeback victory this season.

"I don't think it's just this year," Burrell said. "It goes back for a couple years. We just seem to keep fighting and fighting. It's happened so many times this year, but different guys have stepped up to get hits, and that's a tough thing to do. I think it goes back to the character and attitude of the guys, and the fact that nobody ever quits. It's exciting to be around. It's a huge win for us."

Read Todd Zolecki's Phillies blog every day at http://go.philly.com/pzone.