PHILADELPHIA - Utilityman Eric Bruntlett, who scored the winning run in the final game of the 2008 World Series, has become a free agent after refusing a minor league assignment from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Bruntlett batted just .171 (18-for-105) in this season after hitting .217 in 212 at-bats in '08. Bruntlett got more playing time last year because of an ankle injury to shortstop Jimmy Rollins in April and because he was a late-inning defensive replacement for former left fielder Pat Burrell.

Bruntlett scored the go-ahead run in Game 5 of the World Series against Tampa Bay after entering as a pinch runner for Burrell in the eighth inning.