WHEW! Phils Defend Division Dramatically September 27, 2008
Posted by Dave in Philadelphia, Phillies.Tags: Brad Lidge, Jimmy Rollins, Phillies, Shane Victorino
trackback
Jamie Moyer won his 16th game on Saturday, clinching the NL East title for the Phils and apparently lost his dentures in the process (Tom Mihalek/AP).
It’s funny how something as awesome as winning the division can’t get old. Granted it’s only the second straight year the Phils have conquered the NL East, the display was just as incredible as it was last season.
The scene was a bit different than it was 362 days ago when the Phillies won their first playoff berth since 1993. this time Brett Myers was in warmups in the Phillies dugout rather than tossing his glove in the air in jubilation.
Brad Lidge continued his excellency getting his 41st save of the season (we can only hope that somewhere Billy Wagner is sobbing). He did momentarily think about blowing it. He allowed the bases to load with only one out and remarkably threw a ball to Ryan Zimmerman that ended up being a ground ball double play to end the game.
Jamie Moyer got the Phils in excellent position. He allowed six hits in six innings and surrendered only one run. He got one strikeout and allowed one walk. Interestingly enough it was Moyer who started the game last year on Sept. 30, clinching the Phillies first title in 14 years. He allowed only one run during that game as well. Who did he beat? The Nationals. Talk about deja vu.
An interesting play happened in the eigth inning when Jimmy Rollins made a phenomenal catch over his shoulder. But it may have come at a cost. He collided with center fielder Shane Victorino in shallow center. Although Jimmy held onto the ball, Victorino lay in a heap for a couple minutes with his glove over his face in clear frustration. He got up limping, but returned to the game. After the game was over FOX showed a shot of him limping down the tunnel. Hopefully there won’t be any lingering effect for the center fielder who went 3-for-4 this afternoon.
You never want to see players injured in celebration, and the Phillies are no exception. Taking no chances, Chris Coste and Pedro Feliz paraded around the warning track on bicycles that belonged to Philadelphia police officers. Ryan Howard sat shotgun as Jayson Werth drove a cart around the field. Hey, if the Phillies are lazy doing anything, at least it’s celebrating.
It is yet to be seen whether they’ll play the Brewers or the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs. That will be decided tomorrow.
[...] Congratulations to the 2008 National League East Champions, the Philadelphia Phillies! Back to back division champs. We here at the ADD Show are ecstatic to say the least, and having watched and covered this team [...]