Here at East Windup Chronicle we rarely give coverage to Matsui Kazuo. Rarely meaning never in our six weeks of existence. But that changes today as we delve into what is arguably the biggest AB in the playoffs thus far.

Just how big a game did Matsui have? He had a series clinching, series MVP kind of game. Sure 3-for-5 with 5 RBI and 2 runs scored, a single short of the cycle, sounds impressive, but given the context of his grand slam off Kyle Lohse and his soon to be $50-million plus arm, it was monumental to this series.  

If I was a Phillies fan I would be pulling my hair out tonight. Kyle Kendrick was so close to being out of the inning. With the Phillies up 3-2 in the 4th, two on, Kendrick got squeezed a bit on his third pitch to Yorvit Torrealba and was visibly frustrated as he stomped back to the rubber.

The next pitch was in the dirt, so with two outs, the count 3-1, and the pitchers spot up next, they put Torrealba (106 carrer BB in 1332 AB) on with an intentional ball four.

Clint Hurdle, in a nice move to remove an ineffective Morales (who would forshadow a similar meltdown by Ted Lilly by throwing his glove like a true little leaguer), called Charlie Manuel’s bluff and sent up pinch hitter Seth Smith who would hit a nubby infield single to third. 

Lohse came in with the bases loaded and two out. On the third pitch, a breaking ball inside, Matsui ripped what likely would have been a bases clearing double down the first base line.

So what does Lohse do? With the Philly fans rising to their feet, waving their towels in anticipation of getting out of the inning, Lohse throws a fast ball in the exact same place. Matsui obliged and golfed it into the right field seats 15 rows back.

It’s hard to understate what this did, not only to the fans, who were getting Philionery from the Torrealba walk onward, but to the Phillies themselves who never looked the least bit in the game from then on.

Matsui’s win share for the game ends up being 44.6%. To put it into context David Ortiz, who homered in the first inning of yesterday’s game, ended up with a 16.4% share. Josh Beckett’s complete game 4-hit shutout yesterday was a 33.8%, though if you’re skeptical about this win share talk you won’t like that.

In any event this series was hanging in the balance before Matsui’s big hit. Would it surprise anyone if the Rockies easily win the next game 4-1 or 6-2?