2 Painful Web Gems

When you reach the postseason, anything can happen. Sometimes a game is decided by a key hit, pitch, defensive play or luck. Sometimes a lesser- known player becomes a hero.

The Phillies experienced two web gems in Game 5’s 3–2 nail-biting loss. To Phillies fans they were painful.

Trey Mancini is a 30-year-old veteran who is listed as an OF-1B-DH. The Astros acquired him from the Orioles at the August trade deadline primarily as their designated hitter. Mancini had experienced a lot of success with the Birds. As a colon cancer survivor, he’s an inspiration to millions. Houston’s everyday first baseman, Yuli Gurriel, was injured in a run-down play in the top of the eighth inning. Mancini, who last wore a fielder’s glove as a first baseman on October 5 — Houston’s final regular season game — replaced Gurriel when the Phillies came to bat in their eighth.

Runners on first and third, two out, Houston leading, 3–2, and Kyle Schwarber coming to bat. Schwarbs crushed a ball that Mancini caught on a short hop while standing on the first base bag to save at least one run and end the inning.

Then, one out in the bottom of the ninth, J.T. Realmuto crushed another ball, this one to deep right-center field. Initially it looked like a game-tying home run. At worst an off-the-wall sure double or a triple knowing JT’s speed. CF Chas McCormick made a leaping catch while crashing into the wall, one of the greatest catches in World Series history.

Ironic in that the 27-year-old McCormick grew up in West Chester, PA, as a Phillies fan. Houston drafted him in the 21st round in 2017 out of Millersville University.

Web gems by Mancini and McCormick sent the Astros home up 3–2 instead of trailing 2–3.