The Phillies like living danger-ously. I know everyone was up late last night when Brad Lidge was given the ball to start the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead.
Of course like a good movie, he made sure he scared all of us before coming out with the victory.
He fell behind each batter he faced. He grooved a fastball down the middle to Rockies hard-hitting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
Thankfully Tulowitzki popped up the fastball and Lidge had his save and the Phils had their victory.
Who cares how they got it done though, a win is a win.
Lidge’s teammates were very happy for him. Ryan Madson who came into the game earlier than the Phils had wanted was happy for his buddy. ‚ÄúHe got it done. I‚Äôm more than happy. The team is happy.‚Äù
Ryan Howard drove in the winning run in the top of the ninth when he knocked in Jimmy Rollins with a sacrifice fly.
The Phils got a break in that rally when the home plate umpire missed a the ball hitting off of Chase Utley’s leg as he headed to first base. Utley was able to beat the throw to first as Rollins moved to third base.
You’ve got to give him credit for hustling because he could have pulled up like most batters do. The fact that he didn’t pull up made the umpire think the ball didn’t hit him.
Utley also homered in the first inning which was a great sign. If he starts to hit the way he’s capable, we must start getting ready for a repeat.
I didn’t like the way Utley took the risk of tagging up and going to second on the the Howard sacrifice fly which scored Rollins in the ninth inning. If he had been thrown out, it could have erased the run.
This one wasn’t pretty and they had to get contributions from much of the roster.
Who would have thought catcher Carlos Ruiz would contribute two-run scoring singles?
Championship teams always get contributions from players they didn’t expect to do anything.
