Helms’ double caps Phillies’ comeback

MILWAUKEE -- Wes Helms hit a two-out, two-run double in the 11th inning, and the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-6, Sunday.

The Phillies scored five runs in the ninth inning -- including three against closer Francisco Cordero, two on a fielding error by Ryan Braun -- to tie the score and send it to extra innings.

“We were very lucky,” Manager Charlie Manuel said. “I feel like definitely we had some luck there at the end. They tattooed some balls really hard there at the end, and we were lucky to stay in there and win the game.”

Helms’ hit in the 11th inning drove in Ryan Howard, who had walked, and Aaron Rowand, who had singled against reliever Manny Parra (0-1).

Brett Myers (2-3) pitched 1 1/3 innings to earn the win, and Jose Mesa pitched the 11th for his first save this season.

“What a game,” Myers said. “It was going to be a bad flight home, period, being down 6-1. And we did it against probably the best closer in the National League for this season. That just speaks volumes for this team and the kind of heart they have.”

Milwaukee loaded the bases with two outs in the 11th before Craig Counsell lined out.

From the Associated Press