Phils Battle Back To Take Series Over Marlins

“We don’t get worried. We get excited,” said Chase Utley during TBS’ telecast of today’s Phillies/Marlins game. Utley was speaking about how the Phils come back so often when facing big deficits.

The Phils did it again, taking a 5-1 deficit and turning it into a 7-5 win to take two of three from the Marlins. They recaptured first place in the NL East and improved to 5-1 on the current homestand.

The very same Utley keyed the comeback with his Major League-leading 20th home run of the season, his third in as many games. Geoff Jenkins tied the game with a pinch-hit home run in the sixth inning, just another case of Charlie Manuel plugging in the right guy, and also, another case of the Phils bench coming through as very possibly the best in baseball. By the way, Manuel pressed more correct buttons in this game — TJ Bohn as a defensive replacement; leaving Jamie Moyer in the game in the seventh inning.

And in the seventh inning, Pat Burrell — pressing as of late — struck a two-run double to grab the lead. The win went to Jamie Moyer, who made a bunch of good pitches, but threw three bad ones — an inside fastball that hit Jeremy Hermida, and two low fastballs that the husky Mike Jacobs launched into the seats. Yet again Moyer was serviceable, and collected his sixth win of the year as a result.

Moyer left after seven innings, giving way to Tom Gordon to settle in and subdue the Fish, and Brad Lidge to brush them aside with his usual grimy offerings.

These are the wins that comprise a championship team. Some teams when down 5-1 will lie down and call it a day on a warm Sunday afternoon. Most teams — including past Phillies teams — would battle a bit before falling short. This team, however, wins.

Associated Press photo