Phils Strike Late, Take Game One Over Brewers
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, September 14, 2008 04:52 PM | Comments: 14
Posts
Ryan Howard’s back doesn’t hurt so much now.
Pat Burrell and Shane Victorino picked up the Phillies in the eighth inning, leading the Phils to a huge 7-3 win over the Brewers. They are now one game behind the Wild Card-leading Crew, and can tie up the race with a win tonight. (The Mets blew a lead in the ninth, and the Phils stand 1.5 games behind them for the East lead.)
Howard hit his major league-leading 44th home run in the sixth inning to tie it at 3-3 off Dave Bush, who had fooled the Phils well enough for six innings. It was Howard’s 14th RBI in his last seven games. He’s hitting .378 with six homers and 19 RBI in 12 September games.
Burrell and Victorino emerged from slides to knock in big runs. Burrell did so on a one-out single after a Howard intentional walk. Vic lined a three-run homer to pull the Phils away. Brad Lidge ended the game with an easy ninth.
The win went to Scott Eyre, who struck out one batter to close the eighth. He, Lidge and Ryan Madson did the job in back of Joe Blanton, who finally ate seven innings, giving up three runs (on home runs) and five hits. Throwing 99 pitches in his seven frames, Blanton was finally worthy of his label.
Associated Press photo
Posts: 0 Brian
Blanton did settle in nicely today. We need Brett to be the same guy he’s been and sweep our way to a wild card lead. One game at a time!
Posted: 04:57 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Just have to take care of business on our end. True it is great the Mets lost and all for us, but no matter what, they’re still ahead. We only have control over the tonight and the Brewers to tie for the Wild Card lead.
As Brian said, one game at a time.
Posted: 04:59 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Great job stepping it up vs the Brew Crew,you kids needed a weekend like this.Well at least one team this weekend showed as a fat lady is beginning to go out for her cue because the Amazins are starting to supply the choking.I am still confident the Mets will be involved in Serious October Baseball,however bullpen worries and leaving runners on base are destroying this team.However two more weeks to go and nothing is guaranteed.Good luck down the stretch
Posted: 05:02 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Grumpy, it’s a very real possibility that both the Mets and Phils could be seeing October baseball, which I think would be extremely exciting.
But I think we’re all in agreement that there is still 2 weeks left and a lot can happen in that span.
Posted: 05:04 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Jeffrey
Division, wild card — I’ll take whatever.
It’d be so much sweeter, though, if the Mets don’t make it at all.
Posted: 05:17 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
blanton was steady today, good performance.
Posted: 05:28 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Were back on the Mets Ass! I personally think were going to take the division lead, and the Mets are going to be the team to struggle for a wild card spot. Now hopefully everyone who thought we would fall off jumps back on the wagon, and supports our team. Go Phils
Posted: 05:32 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 fred
I feel a Mets Phillies NLCS is on the horizon…
Posted: 05:33 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 anthony
Dobbs’ defense really impressed me today. Utley was a beast out there on the field too. and finally pat and shane stepping back up. the place was going nuts! still plenty of time left guys. LET GO PHILS!
Posted: 05:49 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Food for thought. St. Louis has been on a skid lately, knocking them more behind the Wild Card. So as of now, it looks like it’ll be 4 teams (Astros, Brewers, Phils, Mets) vying for the Wild Card depending on how the NL East and NL Central go (although I think the Cubs will get it).
Posted: 06:05 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 themetsblog
I’d like to be able to say this is surprising… but it’s not. When you look at the teams the Mets have beaten recently, you can throw out the Brewers because they’re obviously collapsing. That leaves the Mets with this since Aug 22:
1-2 vs. HOU
1-1 @ PHI
2-1 @ FLA
3-0 @ MIL
1-2 vs. PHI
2-0 vs. WSH
1-2 vs. ATL
When you consider that they won the FLA series thanks to Kevin Gregg, they barely beat Washington twice and the Brewers are obviously tanking again… the Mets have done nothing that should scare you guys.
I’d wish ya good luck, but I don’t think you’ll need it. The Brew Crew and the Mets are done.
Posted: 06:17 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Amazins are far from done.Its gut check time for them and that is obvious.Mets have WAY too much talent and visions of 2007 dancing in their heads.Bottom line IF the Mets do NOT make the playoffs,than everything should be placed not only on the players,but Omar Minaya’s head should be sitting on his lap.Metsblog,don’t give up on the Amazins or count them out.Stick with these guys til the bitter end.I sure hope its not a bitter end this season.
Posted: 07:07 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 themetsblog
Grrrumpy Miner –
Obviously it’s not over and the Mets have a very easy schedule this next week. I just think the team is gutless and overrated. Been saying it forever. There needs to be a housecleaning, starting with Omar.
Posted: 07:37 PM on September 14, 2008
Posts: 0 mikemike
With every mets lost. I think the price for a closer goes up.rodriquez goes up more and more . If the phillies would have gotten harden or cc they would be up at least four games by now.
Posted: 09:13 PM on September 14, 2008