Utley, Howard Power Phils To Brink Of Playoffs
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, September 26, 2008 10:50 PM | Comments: 39
Posts
Ladies and gentlemen, if the Phillies win tomorrow, they win the NL East.
Ryan Howard (4 RBI) and Chase Utley (3 RBI) paced the Phils past the Nationals in a 8-4 win. With the win and a Mets loss to the Marlins, the Phils now have a two-game lead in the NL East. With two left to play, a win would secure the NL East title. At the very least, the Phillies will host a one-game playoff Monday for the division championship.
This one was all Howard and Utley. The big man homered in the first inning to set the table. Utley then drove in three with a bases-clearing double in the second. Howard followed him up with an RBI double of his own. Out to a 7-1 lead, the Phils coasted to victory.
Joe Blanton was effective in a very important start. He gave up one earned run in six innings — one scored after a passed ball put him in scoring position; another two advanced on an error by Howard — on five hits and a walk. He was solid. Not dominant, not awe-inspiring, but solid. What we’d expect from Blanton.
The bullpen took care of business late. Scott Eyre had a quick seventh inning; Ryan Madson and JC Romero tag-teamed to sweep the Nats out of the eighth; Brad Lidge sauntered through the ninth with ease. Charlie Manuel was ejected in that inning, arguing an obvious strikeout. No matter. The Phils did their job.
Other things to enjoy: Jimmy Rollins reached base four times; Jayson Werth had two hits to snap a slide; Greg Dobbs began a rally with a double. Tomorrow it’s Jamie Moyer vs. John Lannan for the division.
Associated Press photo
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Having some problems with the Ashburn/Jeltz award. As a note, the Ashburn is going to Ryan Howard.
Mets announced Santana will pitch tomorrow on three-days rest. The Brewers are leading 5-1 in the eighth.
Posted: 10:51 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Justin
Im not trying to be negative and all, but it seems like Howard has an error every game. do you see this coming to bit us in the ass at some point during the playoffs….Knock on wood we win tomorrow
Posted: 10:55 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
I thought the same thing, Justin. But if Howard’s offensive output overshadows his defensive misadventures 2:1 (as it did tonight), I won’t argue too much that he’s a problem.
Posted: 10:58 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 KM
Mets lose, Brewers win . . . Either way, Phils are in the driver seat with 2 to go.
Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to watch the game tonight, but you better believe I was checking the score periodically.
Glad to hear Blanton pitched a decent game. It seems to me that besides his great start against the Pirates(thanks Tim, haha), Blanton tend to pitch down, or up to his competition. Glad to see he could beat the worst team in baseball rather handily.
Ryan Howard had a big game. The big guy has really been swinging a hot bat, and just in time for the playoffs. What does the future hold for Howard? Does he wear red pinstripes next season, or do they shop him to avoid paying him?? Could you imagine his numbers if he were to strike out 10% less?? Maybe .275-55-160.
Either way, big win tonight, let’s finish this up tomorrow and give the big guys a day off.
Posted: 11:16 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Ryk
I agree, Tim. I’ll take him giving up an error every game if he spots us a 3-run lead with a 1st inning bomb.
Posted: 11:17 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 failsafestyl
hmmmm…….seems like the phillies are gonna win the division in september once again….too bad we were not around 2 years ago or we wouldve won it then….wait??? We were around then???? and we sucked how much???? Lets go PHills!!! P-H-I-L-L-I-E-S! EAGLES!!!!!….i mean PHILLIES!!! AIte, lets go pick on a minority now
Posted: 11:18 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Amanda
What a game!! Tommorrow should be awesome! GO PHILS!
Posted: 11:25 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 hoey
ive got my space reserved on broad street. bob michael is bringing the beer and we shall watch either the phillies world series champs or the girls high field hockey team take to the street
Posted: 11:30 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Jeffrey
I love that, after Cholley gets tossed over the botched non-strikeout call, Lidge threw exactly the same pitch and got the strikeout anyway. Awesome.
Posted: 11:40 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Sean M
With the magic number at one there should be no Steve Jeltz award. I think if Howard hits 50 homers he’ll get the MVP award.
Posted: 12:16 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Lets say the brewers win the wildcard…Would it be the Phils Vs The Brewers, or Phils Vs the Dodgers in the playoffs?
Posted: 12:19 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 ronathan richardson
How good is it going to feel when Moyer clinches it for us tomorrow? He’s the most deserving of them all.
Posted: 12:20 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Chris – It would be Phils vs. Brewers. 2 teams from the same division can not play each other in the first round.
Posted: 12:38 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris.I
Thanks Nepa..Thats what I thought
Posted: 01:27 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob Cowie
Clincher , my house, do it
Posted: 01:29 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
what a great night, the phillies win a spectacular game and the mets lose. two more to go and the phillies clinch the division two staight years. what a wonderful thing!
Posted: 03:09 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Lewisauce
I know it’s too much to dream about, but a win today would allow us to start Eaton or Kendrick (or some tailgater in the parking lot) on Sunday, which would give the important players a rest, which would be awesome.
Go Phils.
Posted: 04:12 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt
Brewers are getting hot at the right time…could be dangerous
Posted: 07:05 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
exactly what we needed, well, what fat joe needed…
an early (huge) lead so he could just sit back and collect his 4th win (no losses) with his new team.
production from the guys you pay to produce, this was simply put the way we should win.
two more times, lets go phils!
Posted: 09:13 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
I just want to give Fox sports and MLB my sincerest thanks for NOT ALLOWING ME TO WATCH THE F”ING GAME TODAY!!! I get the damn Cubs & Brewers!!! ALLL YEAR I WATCH THIS TEAM AND THIS GAME IS BLACKED OUT! I’m REALLY pissed!!!!
Wiill someone be recording it cause I wanna see it if they clench it – postgame & all!
Posted: 09:24 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Rick Bates
I think they should have a Lottery and pick two fans out each game to pitch if they clinch before tonights game. That be giving back to the fans.
Posted: 09:35 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Phillygirl, that sucks BIGTIME. I’m about 60 miles away from Phila and am watching the weather, debating if I want to grab a last minute ticket or stay home and watch on HD. Why are they blacking the game out there?
Posted: 09:50 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Lewisauce – That would be a great thing. I would love to see Eaton starting tomorrow. I’d also love to see Golson and especially Marson get a start, I’ll be pretty pissed if Marson is up this whole time and doesn’t get to see a single at bat.
Posted: 09:51 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Derek
Yeah if we clinch today…do you see us resting Hamels to be our game 1 starter for the brewers/dodgers series? Or do they stick with hamels tomorrow and give him the ball in game 2? Plus it would be nice to see marson get a start….but would that send him to arbitration or free agency a year sooner or something?
Posted: 10:09 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
I have to scope out locales to watch today’s game. Meaningless Sox/Yanks game gets all the attention today. Remember, Mets on at 1 today. We could be champs before first pitch.
Posted: 10:12 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Think Happ’ll get the start if tomorrows games meaningless, Eaton’s not returning barring an off-sesaon miracle Darren Howard like re-finding of form or an empty bullpen in need of a veteran arm wheras they need more time to see if Happ can sustain his game at the big league level.
Maybe Golson gets the start in centre but would be suprised to see Marson start. The kids up to have a cup of big league coffee and anyone have 1 good game with the bat, him starting a game or not is not going to make much difference to how he comes into camp and whether he can win a spot of the team. If tomorrow is meaningless its going to be about assessing which reserve peices can contribute and where the secondary guys will be best placed to maximise the roster.
Posted: 10:30 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
Georgie – I think they figure us here in the Midwest all care about the Brewers. Now MLB.tv won’t show the Philly game cause the game time changed for Fox. I guess I can be thankfull its not Boston at least.
Have a great time if you go to the game!
NJ – I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that Happ was the alternate starter for Sunday. That’ll be great to let him get a last game in. I doubt we’ll see Eaton either as he being sent a message that the Phil’s no longer need him for anything – not even mop-up duty.
Posted: 10:37 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Wait, so is today’s game going to be blacked out on MLB.tv? because they’re showing Red Sox/Yankees here.
Posted: 10:40 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Apologies if someone has already answered this when last asked but wasn’t Eaton catching in the bullpen a few games back? If that’s true then that’s a sign being sent no-one comes back from.
Posted: 10:45 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
NEPA – I believe they will. They have all year long….
Posted: 10:45 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Damn, I’m gonna have to use that myp2p site, or find a bar that’s showing the game.
Posted: 10:51 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Does anyone know a way to access the p2p on mac?
Posted: 10:52 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
What is that site? It it like the old redlasso? I’m not so lucky – no bar here will show the Phil’s. All the Easterners around here are NewYorkers..ugh… I feel so alone… :(
What i don’t get is why Boston/NYY? That has no playoff implications at all. I so dislike those teams….
Posted: 10:53 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
P2P site – http://www.myp2pforum.eu/mlb-baseball/27921-baseball-today-sept-27-a.html
Posted: 10:54 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
thanx, sweetie!
Gotta go check on my horses and I’ll be back to watch…
Posted: 11:02 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
Section 420 today! Let’s win this game phillies!
Posted: 11:33 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
It’s pouring here in Lancaster, so I’m going to stay here and have my own little celebration, hopefully. The Flyers are playing a preseason game at the Spectrum at 1, so I’ll catch that first, then it’s time for the BIG game, but as Tim said, maybe the Mets will have taken care of it by then.
Manny, we don’t want to see you do that again, dude. jk
Posted: 11:56 AM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 KM
I hope it takes the Brewers until Sunday to clinch the playoff berth, so we don’t have to face Sabathia until game 2 or 3.
Posted: 01:18 PM on September 27, 2008
Posts: 0 Mark
Way to go Phils. 90 Wins is not 100, but they hit the 90 plateau with every possibility of finishing with 93 wins. Who would have thunk when they were in the July duldroms? But it ain’t over until it’s clinched. Go Jamie! Want to share this;
It’s 1983, the season that the Phils caught lightning in a bottle winning their last 12 games of the season with Schmidt and Rose, Morgan and Perez. They were in the final game of their 4-1 belting of the L.A. Dodgers — I remember to this day; Richie Ashburn laughing hysterically, almost insanely as the Phils finished off the Dodger to head to the World Series against the Orioles. One of the all-time great Phillies fans moments.
Posted: 01:43 PM on September 27, 2008