5:44: WE WIN! Lidge does it again, a nail-biter, with the tying runs in scoring position thanks to a wild pitch. Put this one all on Cole Hamels, and some luck. The Phillies only got four hits -- Utley is on TV now saying, "You need a break sometimes, and we got one there." No kidding -- Cameron makes the play on Utley's double and the Phillies lose this game, with the prospect of C.C. Sabathia tomorrow. Now, the worst they can do is go to Milwaukee with a split.
First post-season win since the 1993 World Series, and a 2-0 shutout by Curt Schilling. That's what it's all about -- a lights out pitcher.
Fireworks over South Philly -- life is good.
5:43: Epic battle between Lidge and Prince Fielder there, before he nailed him in a 3-2 pitch. Two outs, one in, 3-1 Phillies, one out to go. Did anyone think this would be easy?
5:32: How does Mike Cameron take that pitch -- two outs to go -- and now a basehit. Deja vu all over again?
5:26: Almost, but Counsell thwarts Felix and it's going to be 3-0 in the 9th, with Lidge coming in for the save possibly -- I don't like that move, if that's what Charlie is doing. Maybe I'm still having nervous flashbacks from Saturday!
5:21: Phils trying to add an insurance run here in the bottom of the 8th, which would be huge. It started with Ryan Howard's 3rd walk of the day -- the Brewers have clearly decided to try their luck with injured Pat Burrell batting behind him (or Eric Bruntlett, who delivered an infield hit).
5:06: Star of the game so far (still 3-0 Phils in the 8th) is without a doubt Hamels, who is pitching the game of his career so far, and that's saying a lot. Defensive assists, big time, from Howard and Utley. No offense, though...but no offense -- that could be a problem if somebody doesn't, um, step up to the plate.
Do you go for the complete game with Hamels? I would!
4:09: Freaky weather -- thunderstorms where I was at and apparently a downpour a mile south of Citizens Bank Park, but just light rain, now stopped, at the ballpark. Everything is breaking our way -- not used to that.
4:00: OK, I told you this would be problematic, and that was before the canceled soccer practice -- some serious multi-tasking here.
But....WOW. For the first time in two post-seasons, the Phillies have a healthy lead, 3-0 in the top of the 3rd. Seems like some really shoddy fielding by the Brewers, in the bottom of the second there, including a misplayed bunt, a poorly played fly ball that turned into a 2-run double for Utley (who needed that, after last year) and then walking in the third run. In other words, the Brewers are playing like a team that hasn't been here before.
Hamels...perfect.
3:07: TBS -- whatever their other flaws -- nails it as they described "two tortured cities." Also tortuted -- fans doomed to hear hundreds of promos this week for "Frank TV." I had a queasy feeling at the start of this game -- all the talk about how loose and confident the Phils are this year often has a way of dissapating within a couple of batters. But Hamels has mowed down the first two Brewers here and it looks like a great start, especially as he STRIKES OUT RYAN BRAUN swinging to end the first. Back in a little while.
Will Bunch, a senior writer at the Philadelphia Daily News, blogs about his obsessions, including national and local politics and world affairs, the media, pop music, the Philadelphia Phillies, soccer and other sports, not necessarily in that order.
E-mail Will by clicking here.
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