Top Moment #7: Halladay’s Shutout Clinches Playoffs

146 games: that’s all it took for the Phillies to advance to the postseason. The 2011 Phillies became the fastest team in franchise history to clinch a postseason spot. The 1915 Phillies, who lost to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, clinched the playoffs in 147 games.

Advancing to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year was a special moment, but the game in which it occurred was also something to remember.

In the midst of their yearly end of the season Phillies beating, the Astros were on the verge of sweeping them.  Roy Halladay would be sent to the mound to stop the Phillies’ three-game skid.

The Phillies wound up winning by a score of 1-0 in Houston.  The lone Phillies run came on an RBI single by Placido Polanco in the first inning.  It was all the Phillies needed with Roy Halladay on the mound.

It was Halladay’s first complete game shutout of the season.  Halladay allowed seven baserunners and struck out seven in his gem against the ‘Stros.  The fact that his first CG SHO came late in the season may be surprising, but Halladay did finish with eight complete games on the season.

In 2010, Halladay shutout the Washington Nationals to clinch the division.  A year later, he tossed another shutout to ensure a playoff spot for the Fightin’ Phils.