The Phillies could trace their first three runs back to a couple defensive miscues on the Reds' part and a bases-loaded walk. That, however, wasn't anything. Dusty Baker summoned Aroldis Chapman from the bullpen to protect a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh, and it was with his third pitch that everything started to come apart.
Phillies Vs. Reds, NLDS Game 2: Jay Bruce Error Key As Phillies Rally Against Aroldis Chapman
First, Chapman missed up and in with an 0-2 pitch and appeared to nick Chase Utley, who took first base*.
Following an easy strikeout of Ryan Howard, Chapman then got Jayson Werth to hit a grounder to Scott Rolen, but Rolen couldn't throw to second in time to get the lead runner*, and everybody was safe.
The next batter - Jimmy Rollins - drilled a 100 mile per hour fastball into right field. It appeared to be a catchable fly ball, but Jay Bruce lost it in the lights or the towel-waving crowd, and it rolled away behind him. The miscue allowed Utley to score from second* and Werth to score from first, putting the Phillies on top 5-4.
Raul Ibanez followed with a line drive single into right to put men on the corners, and a Carlos Ruiz groundball scored the Phillies' sixth run. Chapman did not finish the inning.
The frame was an absolute nightmare for the Reds, who have essentially handed the Phillies all six of their runs. They will now have to come back against Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge if they intend on returning home in anything other than a desperate, devastated position.
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* - it’s absolutely vital to note that, on replay, Chase Utley came away looking incredibly lucky. It seemed like the HBP missed him, it seemed like Rolen’s throw to second beat him, and then on the Bruce miscue Utley appeared not to touch third base. Another game, another umpire controversy.
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