Lost amongst the Brett Myers homer-fest, Bruntlett’s horrid baserunning, and the near-paralyzation of Yadier Molina yesterday was the continued maturation of Ryan Howard’s stolen base game.

In the 7th inning, with the Phillies down two runs to the hometown Cardinals, Ryan Howard realized he needed to do something to get into scoring position. So he decided to try and swipe second base for only the second time in his MLB career. While Geoff Jenkins was at the dish facing a 1-2 count, the man known more for his power than speed took off from first, turned on the after-burners and stole 2nd base without a throw.

If you remember his last steal against the Dodgers, you would recall that one also came minus the throw to second. It seems that Howard’s underrated speed and the element of surprise often confuse catchers to the point they don’t even bother throwing.

After the jump, watch the big man run. He’ll be the gray and red blur rocketing towards second.
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Ex-Phillie Michael Bourn celebrates his 21st stolen base of the year

On Tuesday night, the reigning NL MVP did something offensively that he had never accomplished. The big guy stole his first base.

In the bottom of the 7th inning, with a 5-4 lead, Ryan Howard hit a 2-out single up the middle. As Aaron Rowand took the second pitch (a ball) from the Dodgers reliever Rudy Seanez, the speedy Howard saw an opportunity to get into scoring position and took off for second. Catcher Russell Martin, obviously perplexed from the speed of the plump First Baseman, didn’t even bother throwing down to second base. Howard slid anyway, and succeeded in swiping the first base of his MLB career.

“I didn’t think he was going to run, so I didn’t throw over there,” Seanez said. “Next time, I will.”

You might as well send that memo out to the rest of the National League.

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