Stairs Way to Heaven
The Phillies need just one more victory to make their first World Series since 1993.
Stairs Way to Heaven
Todd Zolecki
Never a doubt, right?
The Phillies came back in memorable fashion last night in a 7-5 victory over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. Shane Victorino hit a game-tying two-run home run to right field in the eighth inning. Matt Stairs stepped up three batters later and hit a mammoth pinch-hit, two-run homer to right field to win it. Brad Lidge picked up his first four-out save of the season. They helped turn what would have been an ugly loss into a memorable win.
One more to go.
One more victory and the Phillies are in the World Series.
The Phillies are the 12th team to take a 3-1 lead in the NLCS since MLB introduced the best-of-seven format in 1985. Nine of the previous 11 advanced to the World Series. The '96 Cardinals blew a 3-1 lead against the Braves and the '03 Cubs blew a 3-1 lead agains the Marlins.
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I've seen the replay of Stairs' homer, and it can't do justice to how high and far he hit that ball. I mean, he just crushed it. Stairs became just the third Phillie to hit a pinch-hit homer in the postseason. Bake McBride and Jerry Martin also hit pinch-hit homers. McBride hit his Oct. 7, 1978, against the Dodgers in the NLCS. Martin hit his Oct. 4, 1978, against the Dodgers in the NLCS.
Jim Salisbury takes us Inside the Game, he looks at Stairs' at-bat a little more closely.
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Phil Sheridan writes about Public Enemy No. 1: Victorino. His 11 RBIs this postseason are the most in franchise history. Lenny Dykstra had 10 RBIs in the 1993 postseason.
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John Gonzalez writes about Cole Hamels' confidence before Game 4. Gonzalez, Ford and Sheridan also talk about Tommy Lasorda and bean ball wars. And check out a look at the scene last night at Dodger Stadium, including organist Nancy Bea Hefly.
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Bet you're glad the Phillies didn't bring back Hamels on short rest now. I tended to agree with Manuel on this one: Hamels hasn't pitched on short rest in his career, so you don't know how he would respond. And do you really want to test him for the first time in the postseason? And Game 4 wasn't going to be a do-or-die situation, so it wasn't absolutely necessary. Plus, Joe Blanton had thrown the ball well in Game 4 in Milwaukee. Hamels kind of tap dances around the question, but yesterday he finally indicated if given the opportunity he would pitch on short rest. It's just that pitching coach Rich Dubee made it clear it's their call and they don't want him doing it.
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Chase Utley turned a hell of a double play. ... The Dodgers and Phillies discuss brushbacks. ... The Phillies Notebook. ... The Dodgers Notebook. ... Video from The Fightins.
cheee heee. maika'i vic— respect- 5— Theo1980
- For some reason, after the game I thought of Dick Nen of the Dodgers and the thing he was famous for, in 1963.— Paul S
- Stairs, a Canadian, homers on Canadian Thanksgiving Day!— Jeg7777
Comment removed.- It's all about finding a way to win in the postseason- last night reminded me of 1980 NLCS v. the Astros when we were down 5-2 in the 8th v. Nolan Ryan and came back to win. The Phils aren't perfect but every one of them on the active roster has a set of brass ones, they never quit and isn't that what we ask for in Philadelphia. Let's get the last one and move on. GO PHILS!!!— KMG
- It's over.— Scoop
- The Fox announcers reacted to the eighth inning Stairs' and Victorino homers as "a disastrous turn of events." Objectivity can't be faked - at least not by them, apparently. Oh well, at least Manny had a good game. Losers.— Scoop
Todd, you've had that headline ready and waiting since the day they got Matt Stairs, right?? Hah, nice one! What a great win. A classic case of a sideline guy stepping into the spotlight and becoming the hero. Lots of contributors last night, which is great. Chase Utley seems to have gotten over his playoff slump, and that crawling double play was pure determination and hustle. And what can you say about Shane Victorino? The guy just refuses to fail. Way to go, team! GO PHILS!!!!— bobby- Fox sports is a joke. Kennedy has picked the Dodgers every night to win. And the lovefest on TV with LA is horrible.— Barndog
- I don't usually buy into the announcers bias and all that, but that Fox team was nearly in tears after the 2 homers last night. They literally were speechless... I loved it.— bobby
- I can't believe I'm saying this, but if/when the Phils win this series, Shane Victorino IS the NLCS MVP...HANDS DOWN!— cg
- The only reason the Fox guys want the Dodgers is the same reason they don't want the Rays to win...Ratings. Of course they're going to "pick" the teams that are going to bring in more money.— cg
- Comment removed.
- I'm as nauseated as everyone else by the LA-Torre-Manny lovefest on Fox. It's all things Dodgers until we do something, then it's silence in the booth. Very insulting to hear the crestfallen reactions of Buck and McCarver. Well, I hate to be the one to bring this up, but the world series is also on Fox. Can you imagine what we are in for if the Red Sox make it? The favoritism will be raised to a whole new level. The Rays better knock them out, or I will definitely mute the tv.— bski
