Aaron Rowand Is Totally Winning A Gold Glove For This

Ladies and gentlemen, meet your play of the year. Last night, in a 2-0, rain-shortened — apparently, they actually do this every once in a while — five-inning game, Aaron Rowand’s catch with the bases loaded in the first inning saved three runs and, therefore, the game.

Rowand broke his nose on the play. When the Phillies acquired the centerfielder from the White Sox for Jim Thome (and some minor leaguers), some people wondered if he’d be better than the Kenny Lofton/Jason Michaels combo that did surprisingly well last season. Don’t worry, we’d were reassured, you’re going to love him.

And with Thome burning up the American League — 14 homers, 36 RBI, 33 runs scored (!) — and Rowand starting off slow, we got a little more worried. But Rowand has rebounded to hit .310 with six homers, and last night he made the prediction true: Everyone’s going to love him now.

Naturally, there is a Philadelphia twist to this story: Rowand requested additional padding; it was ordered right away. It’s been here since Monday, but it wasn’t scheduled to be installed until the Phillies are out of town. Shocking. He might’ve broken his nose, anyway, since he hit the wall with out the force of several Mack trucks (estimated), but this is typical Phillies.

He’ll be out for a little bit. And, y’know, that Shane Victorino kid seems pretty good, too. (Two-for-two after coming in as a replacement last night.) Just get well soon, Aaron.

Aaron Rowand [YouTube]