PHILLIES NEWS

After an easy win last night, the Phils came into this afternoon in the 2nd game of their series with Washington, knowing a win and only a win would clinch their 2nd consecutive division title. Fortunately, the wily veteran Jamie Moyer took the mound with a chance to win the clincher just as he had a year ago. He did not disappoint, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits in 6 strong innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils put up 3 runs in those 6 innings. So it would be up to the bullpen to preserve the win one more time. Now onto the game. In the bottom of the 4th, sac flys by Pat Burrell and Carlos Ruiz pushed across 2 runs for a 2-0 lead. In the top of the 5th, Angel Hernandez doubled in a run to cut the lead to 2-1. In the bottom of the 5th, Jayson Werth slammed a solo homer for a 3-1 lead. In the top of the 8th, Lastings Milledge sac flyed in a run to cut the lead to 3-2. In the bottom of the 8th, Pedro Feliz doubled in a run for a 4-2 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th, Brad Lidge came in to get the save one last time. It wasn't easy. After striking out Emile Bonifacio to start the inning, the next 4 batters, singled, walked, singled and singled to cut the lead to 4-3, loading the bases with one out for Ryan Zimmeran. Zimmeran smacked a screaming liner that for a moment looked as if it would tie the game or put the Nats ahead, handing Lidge his first blown save of the season. Instead, Jimmy Rollins made a sliding stab of the ball, flipped it to Chase Utley for one out, and Utley then relayed to Ryan Howard to complete the double play and the celebration ensued. Only this time it was a bit more subdued than last year, for this time the Phils are not just happy to be in the playoffs, they want to go deep into October. Hopefully this time they will go all the way.