PHILLIES NEWS

How sweet it is. After 14 years of frustration, and 162 games of edge of your seat ups, downs, and all around excitement, the Phils are finally back where they belong. Coming into today's game the Phils needed a win and a loss by the Mets to clinch the NL East division title, and their 1st playoff berth since 1993. The Marlins took care of New York early, as the Mets already trailed 7-0 in the 2nd inning, by the time the Phils took field at the Bank, so they knew by day's end that a win would give them the division. Veteran Jamie Moyer got the start today and delivered 5 and 1/3rd tough innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits ,while striking out 6. The Phils meanwhile, got off to a quick a start, as Jimmy Rollins leadoff with a single, stole second, stole 3rd, and scored on a line drive sac fly by Chase Utley, for a 1-0 Phils lead. Later Ryan Howard slapped a 2 run, bases loaded single in the 3rd inning for a 3-0 lead. Then after Washington had cut the lead to 3-1 in the 4th, Rollins came up big again with a 2 out triple(his 20th of the season, making him just the 4th, 20 homer-20 triple -20 double -20 steal guy in MLB history), following a sac fly by Tad Iguchi, to put the Phils up 5-1. Then Ryan Howard put it away for good in the 7th with a towering solo shot, to put the Phils up 6-1. As usual, Tom Gordon ,and J.C Romero combined to get the Phils to the 9th, where it came down to Brett Myers and 3 more outs. First, Dmitri Young struckout, then Austin Kearns flyed out, and finally Willy Mo Pena was called out on strikes, setting off a raucous celebration at the Bank. That's right the Phils, 7 games behind just weeks ago, have come all the way back to win the NL East, clinching their 1st playoff berth in 14 years, and helping the Mets to complete the greatest September collapse in MLB history. Yes, life is beautiful again.