Staff Blog
About Last Night – September 18th
The Phillies won their 6th straight game for the
first time all season – and with the Mets and the Brewers breathing down their
necks the hot streak came at just the right time. While the also-rans picked up wins, the Mets
bullpen faltered again and the Brewers might have lost Ben Sheets for the
season (and career).
I’d say more but I’m going blind from back pain (true
story).
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The Game: J.A. Happ led this team to victory. Happ spot-started the Phils to his first
victory in the Bigs and maintained their ½ lead over the Mets (btw, I love how
everyone in Philly calls it a ‘lead’ when we’re up a half game and a ‘virtual-tie’
when we’re down, but tied in the L column). Zolecki’s recap HERE, Murphy’s HERE, Miller’s HERE, Mandel’s HERE, ATL’s HERE, and the AP’s HERE, with video.
The Heroes: Chooch had the big single in the first that let
J.A. Happ go out there and pitch his game.
Right now, the Phillies feel like they’re always ahead.
The Race: Some combination of the Mets, the Brewers, and the
Phillies are headed to the playoffs. Of
those three the Phillies are the hottest team with the least obvious turmoil. For now.
Other Notes …
- Ryan Howard is NOT your MLB K leader
- The Braves’ 85 losses this season are their most since losing 97 in 1990.
- The Phillies improved to 8-0 in Atlanta this season.
- Matt Stairs’ ninth-inning solo home run was the Phillies’ 200th of the season
- Larry Jones is hitting .365, 11 points higher than second-place Albert Pujols
- The Phillies’ 12 wins against the Braves this year ties their club’s single-season victories over Atlanta, previously set in 1956 and 1965
