Philadelphia Phillies: Five Biggest Offensive Explosions of 2011

Last night was a big night for the Phillies. A nine-run onslaught in the eighth inning propelled the Phillies to a big win over the Cardinals.

Even though the Phillies have not been scoring as many runs as they did last year, they still have been capable of putting some big and curvy numbers on the board.

Here are the top five innings for the Phillies this year. See how many of them you remember.

5. April 9: Phillies at Braves --- Five-Run Seventh

It was a good offensive day for the Phillies, but the performance was highlighted by a five-run seventh inning.

Pinch-hitter Carlos Ruiz delivered big time while pinch hitting for Roy Oswalt, as he sent an 0-2 pitch deep to left field for his first career grand slam, putting the Phillies ahead 7-2. A base hit by Shane Victorino, a stolen base, and a double by Ryan Howard later in the inning drove home the fifth run of the inning.

After their fifth biggest inning of the season, the Phillies cruised to an easy 10-2 victory over the Braves.

4. May 5: Nationals at Phillies --- Six-Run Third

Seven straight runners reached base for the Phillies and six of them scored.

Leadoff man Jimmy Rollins knocked a hit into center field before the Flyin' Hawaiian Shane Victorino launched a two-run shot out to left. A base hit by Placido Polanco and a walk to Ryan Howard set the table for back-to-back doubles by John Mayberry Jr. and Raul Ibanez.

The first three crossed the plate, and Ibanez was promptly driven in by a big hit from Wilson Valdez as the sixth run of the inning.

The Phillies went on to win the game 7-3.

3. June 15: Marlins at Phillies --- Six-Run Third

This was an inning of two big hits. In fact, there were only two hits of any kind during this inning.

Chase Utley was hit by a pitch, and Ryan Howard walked to start the frame. After a fielder's choice moved these two runners to second and third respectively, Ben Francisco was intentionally walked to set up the double play with Wilson Valdez at the plate.

Valdez cleared the bases with a triple to left-center field to keep the inning alive. Another walk to Dane Sardinha and a home run, the second hit of the inning, by Jimmy Rollins capped off the six run highlight of an 8-1 victory.

2. May 23: Reds at Phillies --- Seven-Run Third

This inning was in the same series as the longest game of the year, so this was a very monumental series for the Phillies apparently.

Three consecutive singles by Placido Polanco, Ryan Howard, and Raul Ibanez led to Polanco scoring. A walk to Carlos Ruiz loaded the bases, and a base hit by John Mayberry Jr. brought home two and advanced Ruiz to third.

Cole Hamels got in on the action with an RBI single of his own before Jimmy Rollins finally cleared the bases with a three-run home run.

This game only took nine innings, and the Phillies won of course 10-3.

1. June 21: Phillies at Cardinals --- Nine-Run Eighth

Most of you probably remember last night, but for those of you who don't, here's a quick recap.

A base hit by Shane Victorino and a walk to Chase Utley caused the Cardinals to bring in relief pitcher Jason Motte. Motte hit both Ryan Howard and Placido Polanco to load the bases and then bring home Victorino.

Ben Francisco pinch hit and slapped a ground ball through the left-hand side to bring home Utley and keep the bases loaded. Then, Carlos Ruiz and Michael Martinez walked to bring home two more runs while the bases still remained loaded.

A base hit to center by Jimmy Rollins drove in two more runs, and then another walk to Victorino loaded the bases again.

Utley singled to left field to bring home two more runs, and one more single into center by Howard scored Victorino for the ninth run of the inning.

The Phillies won 10-2 behind their biggest inning of the year.