Brignac back in lineup after game-winning hit

It was well past midnight and well past 2-year-old Reid Brignac Jr.'s bedtime when his father became the hero of the Phillies' 6-5, 14-inning win over the New York Mets.

The kid was still awake, however, to see his dad deliver a line drive to left field that allowed Marlon Byrd to score the winning run after a 5-hour and 25-minute marathon between the National League East rivals. Reid Sr. said his son had no idea what his dad had done.

"He was just happy to see me after the game," Brignac said. "He hadn't seen me all day. He was probably a little sleep deprived. He usually goes to sleep around 10:30 or 11."

Brignac said he did not get to sleep until 2:30 a.m. after answering texts from friends and family back in his home state of Louisiana. It was the second walk-off hit of his career and they have both come against New York teams. He beat the Yankees with a tenth-inning home run as a rookie with Tampa Bay in September 2010.

"That's what you play the game for," Brignac said. "You want situations like that. It's the high of playing the game when you come through with a game-winning hit or make a game-winning play defensively."

There was some pain that went along with it. Brignac was mobbed by his teammates and was on the receiving end of some celebratory gut punches.

"I have a few jabs in the stomach that are a little sore, but that could be from playing 14 innings, too," Brignac said. "Not having played much and then to play 14 innings, I'm a little sore, but nothing that would keep me from playing."

Brignac, 28 and a former second-round pick of the Rays, had not started a game since May 8 when he was still with triple-A Lehigh Valley. He joined the Phillies the following day, but had only made six plate appearances. Brignac was back in the lineup for a second straight game at third base Saturday against the Mets after going 2-for-5 with two walks Friday night.