Down by one in the top of the ninth, Jean Segura became a hero for the Phillies with a clutch two-run single that helped accelerate an all-out meltdown by the Cardinals bullpen in an improbable game one win on Friday.
Turning the pitch from Andre Pallante into a hit was even more improbable than the rally itself.
Segura, who entered the game with the most games played among active players without a postseason appearance, reached out and poked the go-ahead single through the right side on a slider that was well outside and barely off the ground. Still, Segura got just enough on it to shoot it to right field and give the Phillies the lead.
It was the kind of bad-ball swing that would make Vladimir Guerrero proud, and it was the swing that turned the game for Philly.