PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils continued their series with the Astros tonight, looking for the win that would clinch them the division. In the end the Phils ultimatelly didn't need the win, as Atlanta lost again to the Marlins, but it was going to feel a lot better celebrating the division title after a win then after a loss. Thanks to solid bullpen pitching and yet another torrid night with the bats they were able to do the latter. Pedro Martinez got the start, but the Phils did not want to push his sore kneck and so he left after only 4 innings of work, having allowed just 3 runs on 6 hits. Meanwhile, the Phils put up 5 runs in that time, with a fielder's choice in the 1st inning, and a pair of RBI singles, an error, and an RBI double in the 4th innning, to build up a 5-3 lead. Kyle Kendrick took from it there, tossing 3 scoreless innings. At the same time, back to back Triples by Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino, and a sac fly by Raul Ibanez in the 5th, an RBI double by Carlos Ruiz in the 6th, and a 2 run homer by Ibanez in the 7th lead, helped the Phils jump out to a 10-3 lead through 7 innings. At this point you could just feel the electricity in the stadium and you knew the Phils were about to get it done. Chad Durbin tossed a scoreless 8th inning and then Scott Eyre got the first 2 outs in the 9th. The Fish finished off the Braves right at about this point to officially clinch the division for the Phils, but there was still some business left to attend to at the Bank. To take of that business, in came Brad Lidge in a sort of symbolic reminder of what happened just a year ago. Like he had all last year Brad easily got Lance Berkman to ground to Ryan Howard at first for the final out and the celebration was on. It was a little muted as the Phils know this is only the first step in their quest to repeat as World Champions, but there was still plenty of champagne and beer-filled moments to go around, all capped off by a special tribute to Harry Kalas, as the players all gathered in outfield at his memorial poster board, to touch it and of course spray it with beer and champagne. It was a fitting ending to a season full of ups and downs, that hopefully still has a ways to go. It was great to see the Phils clinch the division and I can't wait to root them on in the playoffs. The only bad news for the Phils on the night, was the announcement that Jamie Moyer is finished for the season, with 3 torn tendons, 1 in his abdomen and 2 in his groin, that will require surgery. There was a strong possibility, even if he did make the playoff roster, that Jamie wasn't going to pitch much in this year's postseason, other than in long relief at this point. It is just unfortunate that the injury had to take that decision out of the Phils hands. This probably means now that Kendrick could very well be on the playoff roster, and that, assuming the Phils lefty relievers are ready to go finally(J.C Romero, and Scott Eyre are both healthy and active again), Pedro Martinez will be the long man come playoff time, with J.A Happ the 4th starter. Jamie should be healthy again by spring training next year and it will be interesting to see where he fits in by then. So anyay the Phils move to 92-66 overall now and with 4 games to play they can still finish with the best record in the National League.