Ben Francisco unlikely hero of Phillies' 3-2 Game 3 win
Ben Francisco hit a pinch-hit, three-run home run off Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia to provide all the offense the Phillies would need in a 3-2 victory in Game 3 of the NLDS.
ST. LOUIS -- Ben Francisco was the most unlikely hero in Phillies 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday during Game 3 of the National League division series at a rocking Busch Stadium.
Francisco crushed a pinch-hit three-run home run off Jaime Garcia in the seventh inning to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead. That lead was almost squandered due to some shaky work by the bullpen.
The Phillies now hold a 2-1 lead in this best-of-five series.
Francisco was pinch hitting for Cole Hamels, who delivered six shutout innings, but had thrown 117 pitches.
With two outs and Shane Victorino at second, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa ordered an intentional walk to Carlos Ruiz, who had been 1 for 10 for the series. Up came Francisco, who was 1 for 18 in his postseason career.
Make it 2 for 19 now, with a home run that was measured at 405 feet.
Francisco entered the postseason on a decent roll. He was 7 for his final 20 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
During the regular season in games in which Francisco had an RBI, the Phillies were 20-6.
What is interesting is that in his career against St. Louis he had just three RBIs in 10 games, so he matched that total with one swing of the bat and now gives the Phillies the chance to close out the series on Wednesday when Roy Oswalt faces Edwin Jackson.