Former Miner helps Phillies win World Series

PALMER — Eric Bruntlett, a former member of the Mat-Su Miners, was a part of a Philadelphia Phillies squad that captured the World Series title earlier this week.

Although Bruntlett played a limited role in Philadelphia’s five-game series win over the American League’s Tampa Rays, he did take advantage of his opportunity.

Bruntlett, a member of Mat-Su’s 1998 team, scored three runs in five World Series games for the Phillies, including the series-clinching run in a 4-3 win over the Rays on Wednesday.

With the score tied 3-3, Bruntlett scored the go-ahead run on a Pedro Feliz single during the bottom of the seventh inning to help give the Phillies just their second world championship in team history.

He also smacked a solo home run during a 4-2 loss to the Rays in Game 2 on Oct. 23.

Bruntlett appeared in 120 regular season games for Philadelphia, his second Major League team, posting a .217 batting average with two home runs and 15 RBI.

Bruntlett was acquired by Philadelphia in a five-player deal with Houston in 2007. The Phillies also received closer Brad Lidge, while the Astros got outfield Michael Bourne and a pair of prospects.

Bruntlett was one of two former Miners to play in Philadelphia this year. Mike Cervenak, a member of Mat-Su’s 1997 squad, appeared in 10 games for the Phillies.

At points during the season, Cervenak, a shortstop, joined Bruntlett, a third baseman, in the Philadelphia infield at the same time.

Bruntlett is not the first player with Mat-Su Miners ties to win a World Series.

Craig Counsell, a journeyman MLB infielder and member of Mat-Su’s 1991 team, helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win baseball’s biggest prize in 2001.

Bruntlett and Counsell were among three former Miners and a dozen former Alaska Baseball League players listed on the active roster of teams in the 2008 MLB postseason.

Jed Lowrie, a member of Mat-Su’s 2003 squad, was a key member of the Boston Red Sox, the runner-up in the American League. Counsell is on a Milwaukee Brewers team that was knocked out of the playoffs by Philadelphia in the first round.

— Jeremiah Bartz