It was the second to last game of the season. A Phillies win or a Mets lost equaled the second straight National League East crown.The Phillies would play the Washington Nationals, who they beat in 2007 to clinch the division. The Mets opposition would be the Florida Marlins, the team that kicked them out of postseason contention just a year before. Jamie Moyer, who won the 2007 clincher, started the clinching game of 2008.
The rally towels were waving way before the game started. The Mets had won their game 2-0 against the Marlins, but the all the Phillies had to do was worry about their own business.
The Phillies got on the board in the fourth inning with two sacrafice flies to take the lead. However, the Nationals answered back as Anderson Hernandez smacked an RBI double off the wall and just above the glove of Jayson Werth.
Jayson Werth added a solo home run of his own, and Pedro Feliz drove in another run for the Phillies to give the Phillies a 4-2 lead, on their way to clinching the postseason. Jimmy Rollins potentially saved a run with an over the shoulder, Willy Mays style grab, collding with Shane Victorino. Shaken up, each stayed in the game.
With a perfect Brad Lidge on the mound, the lead felt comfortable. However, it wasn't the case as number 41 was quite then adventure.
The Nationals came back in the 9th inning to score a run, making it a 4-3 game off Lidge. There was just one out, and the bases were juiced. Their best hitter, Ryan Zimmerman was due up.
"The pitch to Zimmerman... ground ball up the middle, J-Roll dives, to Utley
one.. the relay, double play! The Phillies are the National League Eastern
Division Champions on a spectacular double play! To J-Roll, to Utley, to Howard.
What a play by J-Roll!" - Harry Kalas
And just like that, the Phillies became back to back NL East Champs. Brett Myers made a promise. To go further than they went last year, which was 3 and out. Charlie Manuel agreed, and the Phillies would do just that.
The post game celebration was down played from 2007 as the Phillies knew there was still unfinished business.
PHOTO COURTESY: MLB.com, Seattle Times
1 comments:
I REMEMBER 1980 AND I HAD TO WAIT 28 YEARS FOR THEIR SECOND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BUT IT WAS WELL WORTH IT. THE LESSON IN LEFE IS NEVER GIVE UP. MY PHILLIES ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR 2008. I HAVE BEEN A PHILLIES FAN FOR 49 YEARS!!!!!
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