THINKS THE EAGLES STOLE ONE
Just got back from the Stadium. Crazy, crazy night.
Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs were the heroes, as anybody watching the game could attest. Stairs' two-run bomb off Jonathan Broxton was the second postseason hit of his career.
The Phillies lead 3-1 and are one win away from their first World Series since 1993. They've got three chances to close it out, but you've got to think that Wednesday night is their best. Lefty Cole Hamels faces righty Chad Billingsley.
Stairs, who was mobbed by his teammates as soon as he reached the dugout, was great in his post-game press conference. He's 40 years old, joined the team in late August, just before the waiver deadline.
Now, he'll likely be a piece in Philadelphia sports lore (provided something catastrophic doesn't happen these next three games).
Among the gems is one that is surely destined for the He-Said Hall of Fame (Located down the street from the Mmmmmmm Hall of Fame).
"You want to get that one big hit where you feel like you're part of the team," Stairs said. "Not that I don't feel like I'm part of the team, by no means, but when you get that nice celebration coming into the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys, it's no better feeling than to have that done."
More:
"I'm not goin to hit a single and steal second base," said Stairs, who clubbed a 3-1 fastball from Jonathan Broxton for the game-winner. "So I think the biggest thing is get up there, swing hard and elevate."
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Earlier today, Victorino found out he'd been fined $2,500 for being at the center of the benches-clearing melee in the third inning of Game Three.
His two-run home run tied the game and set up Stairs' shot.
Here's a funny little bit of info from the Phils clubhouse: Victorino's home run ball came inches away from hitting rookie catcher Lou Marson in the head. The relievers at first thought the line drive was a double. Next thing you know, it was sailing into the Phillies bullpen.
That's 11 RBIs now for Victorino in the postseason.
"This is what you play for as a kid," Victorino said. "You play for it in the minor leagues. You get an opportunity and try to make the best of it."
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How about Brad Lidge getting his first four-out save of the season?
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That's all for now. We've got tons of coverage in the paper tomorrow. The Phillies will work out at Dodger Stadium, so I'll check in with an afternoon update on some of the goings on.
