Phillies' Maikel Franco rips second game-tying HR in two nights

Phillies rookie Maikel Franco made an encore performance on Wednesday after setting the stage for a Philadelphia win on Tuesday with a game-tying, eighth-inning home run.

Down by three with one out and two runners on in the bottom of the ninth, Franco came up to face Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball, aiming to keep alive the Phillies' hopes of winning consecutive games for the first time since May 18.

Undaunted by his opponent, Franco took a huge hack at the first strike he saw, sending Chapman's 98-mph fastball into the left-field bleachers and tying the game 4-4.

"It's not simple but I feel more comfortable," Franco said. "When I know somebody can throw hard and I know he's not going to use so many breaking balls, I can just be ready for one pitch."

The Phillies eventually won the game in the bottom of the 11th on an error.

While Franco played a huge role in the Phillies' back-to-back wins, he's trying to stay level-headed and continue to perform at a high level.

"I'm just trying my best," Franco said. "I try to do better every day. I come in every day and I'm just trying to be the best in the game."

(h/t MLB.com)