Phillies Fight Off Marlins For East Lead
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, September 21, 2008 12:25 AM | Comments: 13
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The Phillies grabbed the lead in the sixth inning, then held onto it for dear life to beat the Marlins, 3-2. The win placed the Phils back in first place in the NL East, as the Mets lost to the Braves. And, for comfort, the Brewers lost to the Reds, giving the Phils a three-game cushion in the Wild Card race.
Joe Blanton threw 96 pitches — 57 for strikes — in his five innings, striking out nine Marlins while giving up two runs on four hits and two walks. He nibbled and made Marlins hitters work for their hits, keeping the Phils tied with the Fish until the top of the sixth, when Greg Dobbs dropped a single into no-man’s land to give the Phils the lead.
Once they had the lead, it was tense moment after tense moment. Chad Durbin secured the sixth; JC Romero escaped the seventh with two strikeouts. Then the eighth. Ryan Madson came in and allowed two quick hits, and with men on second and third, a run seemed inevitable. But Madson had different ideas — a play out at the plate, a groundout, a strikeout. Madson put the Marlins to sleep in one of the biggest outings of his career.
Brad Lidge then hushed fears in the ninth for his 39th save in as many chances. He struck out the side with Alfredo Almezaga waiting on second base.
Chase Utley and Shane Victorino colleceted RBI for the Phils, as well, with Utley singling home a run, and Vic lining his 14th homer of the season.
Associated Press photo
Posts: 0 Griffin
Yes! 7 games left.
Posted: 01:08 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I almost had a heart attack 8 times during this game.
Posted: 01:09 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg V.
The Phils really raised the blood pressure tonight! I was sure Ryan Madson was going to blow it, and he proved me wrong. Lidge, while making it painful, still got the job done. Quality outing from the pitchers today. Even Blanton did good!
Posted: 01:51 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
After looking at the Mets upcoming Schedule, I think they might fall apart during the Cubs series. I think the Brewers might take this one down the stretch, and pull in for the wildcard. Once again my man Dobbs came through for us…Hopefully they can start him more in this last week. He’ll really be a big help
Posted: 02:32 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Mark
Huge win for the Phils and a clutch series final for Moyer. I’d say more than “the Mets ‘might’ fall apart against the Cubs. I’d say that it’s inevitable, that is unless the Cubs rest their starting lineup and their “A” pitchers for the playoffs. But if the Cubbies don’t spell the Mets’ collapse, then the desperate Brewers will. The Phils need Sundays’ game and 4 out of 6 from Atlanta and Washington
Posted: 02:53 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Not only that, but the Mets have to play Florida again, and we all know the Marlins wont roll over, and go to sleep. It’s going to get interesting thats for sure.
Posted: 03:24 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Joshua
The mets aren’t going to collapse this week, they’re gonna either walk away with the wild card or the Division….to think the brewers are gonna be able to pull through the wildcard is insane. they can’t buy a win right now.
Posted: 08:30 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Bigbob
It’s a good sign when the Phils beat THE hottest team in the NL. The Mets should have similar challenges with the Fish. Reminds me of that Marlin team in 03, all hitting, young starters going deep into games. For today, Moyer needs to come up big…again. If I were Charlie or Dubee, I’d tell Jamie to flash the Marlins’ 1st and 3rd base coaches a fastball grip, then switch to a changeup grip before delivering, to avoid the 1st inning bashing Myers received on Friday. Seriously, could that have really been the reason they unloaded on Brett?
Posted: 08:50 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
This Phillies team appears to be made of steel. Definitely playoff material. And the team’s one-game-at-a-time approach is working wonders. Tonight we need Moyer to keep us in the game for 6 innings or so and get that win.
Posted: 10:59 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Tyler
He was clearly safe.
I was watching the Marlins broadcast and they were flipping out.
lol
Posted: 11:51 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Kevin
The Reds did the Mets a huge favor….the Mets are 4-6 for the last 10 games and the Phillies are 9-1 in their last 10.
The Brewers have imploded for the second year in a row —- the Marlins had a shot but I think the Phillies just bitch slapped them into “see you next year”.
The Cubs only need two more wins to guarantee homefield for NL playoffs. The Mets need to win first 3 games against the Cubs —- an unlikely possibility —- and have Atlanta win 2 of 3 against the Phillies —- who the Phillies have “owned” this season
The Mets last 3 are against the Marlins; the Philies last 3 are against the Nats
Mets = Wild card
Posted: 09:21 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Kevin…agreed
Posted: 09:42 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I really hope that Molina doesn’t hit the last home run in Yankees stadium ever…I hope it’s Jeter or A-Rod.
Posted: 09:49 PM on September 21, 2008