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.
Comments (67)
I really don't care if Tommy Lasorda and Vin Scully call the game, as long as we have more runs than the other team. Truth- everyone has contributed to the Phils success at some point during the year. April was Utley and Burrell. The pitching, especially Durbin and Moyer, carried the team in May/June when it seemed like the only guys hitting were Coste and Victorino. Hamels and Myers turned it on towards the end of the year. Howard had a monster September and Ruiz finally joined the party, as well. Madson's been superb since mid August. Throw in a clutch start here and there by Blanton and Happ, some very good streaks by Werth and a great year off the bench by Dobbs. The one consistent all year? Lidge. The important thing isn't who has been better than who, it's that everyone has picked each other up and with one more win we're National League Champions. Let's get it tomorrow. GO PHILS!!!— KMG- Just a few thoughts: I love Matt Stairs' swing...whether he hits the ball or not; Victorino is a clutch player; I would love to have been either Victorino or Stairs last night, I'm sure it felt awesome; Yes Howard had huge September and sprinkled RBI's throughout the year, but he is nowhere near a complete player...AND he needs to take a cue from Utley and hustle on EVERY play...that said, he still deserves our respect and thanx; So Taguchi? Really?; Ruiz had a huge single in the 8th...if he doesn't get that hit, we wouldn't be on a Stairsway to Heaven; FOX announcers are extremely biased and they're not trying to hide it...I genuinely like Joe Buck, but this series he can kiss my asteroid; Not only is FOX biased with their words, but with the replays they show, especially with that pitch trax graphic..they go out of their way to show a Dodger getting screwed but rarely show the same respect for Phillies batters in the samesituations. It looks like it is shaping up to be Philly vs Tampa in the WS, the series I wanted to see....neither series is over, but it is looking good.— MrPhillie
- SCboi....The whole Santa Claus/snowball incident is ancient history. GET OVER IT ALREADY!!! Besides, that was an Eagles game. Eagles fans are a whole other breed! The local media talked to a lot of Dodgers fans when they were at the games here. They said they got no abuse at all. Just good natured ribbing. I've been to plenty of Phillies/Mets games here in town, and the only "throwing" of beer" is the beer the Mets fans are throwing up!— Norma
- Saw the *Stairs Way to Heaven* banner on a piece in the Daily News, too. What? Do you media guys all get together over beers after the game and come up with this stuff together? LOL!— Norma
- Davegas, I don't know where you were sitting in the stadium last night but during both games the Dodgers fans have been giving the Phillies fans hell for showing up in their gear. Dodgers fans however, unlike crass Philadelphia fans, know how to treat our guests and don't cross the line between brashness and crassness. I know that throwing beer at opposing fans is par for the course in the city that pelted Santa Claus with snowballs at an Eagles game. How laudable. Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!— SCboi
- Truth, it's not just Philly fans that boo their players when they aren't hitting very well. Take a look at the Boston series, Ortiz is struggling too and he's hearing it also as are Varitek and Ellsbury all of which are hitless this series. Passionate fans live and die with their team, they let them know when they approve of what's going on and they show it when they disapprove.— cg
- Todd, Sportscenter stole your headline. During the afternoon runnings (lunch time), they had "Stairsway to Heaven" as one of the sidebar headlines. You should sue...— PhillyinDC
So at least take a pitch or two. It seems like Taguchi swings/bunts at the first pitch every PH at bat lately. Gotta play smart. Every AB is crucial now.— RAS- Gary; You have to remember that So Taguchi was the best PH in the league last year. I agree that he hasn't done the job this year but he has been good in the past. Unfortunately, the Phils don't have many viable RH bats off the bench right now.— James TL
- Great minds think alike Norma....— James TL
- Gary V - I had the same thought! I still can't believe he made the playoff roster. However Ethier made a great diving catch.— KarenA
- My only Phillies complaint for the day, why in the world does he keep using So Taguchi? Seriously? At this point, stick a pitcher up there to bat if you need a right handed bat that bad. Maybe Myers. But So has proven himself absolutely useless.— Gary Varsho
- Gotta love Kate Fagan's opening to her article about Chase's double play. "That was just Chase being Chase." A little dig on Manny, Kate? LOL!— Norma
- Apparently the only time "less is more" to the national broadcasters and talking heads is when they compare the Dodgers to the Phillies. They need to get a clue about two concepts: baseball talent and broadcast overkill. Better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you're clueless than to open your mouth and confirm it.— Scoop
- I actually liked Joe Buck's call of Stairs' homerun itself: "There it goes, deep into the night!" What was the call on the Phils' radio network? Bias by the announcers, perceived or real, is annoying but it doesn't affect the players. I was more disturbed by what appeared to be biased ball/strike calls: Manny twice benefited from borderline calls (if he were, say, Howard, then he would have been 'caught looking' by both Blanton and Lidge), while Utley was rung up on a pitch that was well outside. On the other hand, the Phils did seem to get some close calls in the crucial 8th, so maybe the home plate umpire was just inconsistent ...— Statman
- In defense of the FOX broadcasters, at least they did call out the commissioner's office for fining Shane Victorino and defending his behavior on Sunday. Of course, the rest of the broadcast (unbelievably, obnoxiously annoying Rocky music aside) seemed awfully slanted. Sorry to the networks if it's looking like Manny won't be in the Series, but some would say that Karma's a b!tch (which is quite literally true, as my neighbor has a female Mini-Pinscher name Karma).— RollinsWasRight
- Oooops! I meant "we're NOT denying Howard his props." Sorry, Truth. Don't go ballistic on me. LOL!— Norma
- Truth, just when we think you have turned the corner with your racial bias remarks. Your evil twin "Black Truth" comes back... Can't we all get along ? I doubt that can happen with your hatred of blond haired blue eye people... Keep hope alive ! How bout we all root for "RED" Phillies team, at least for the next few weeks..You feel me ?— pat h
- James TL......"Utley is one of those players. He is a complete player unlike Truth's favorite player". I was just going to post the EXACT same thing! LOL!— Norma
Just one more ridiculous statement. Ryan Howard was hailed as MVP on this blog and in the ballpark based on the September he had and his contribution to this team. He's a hero to this city, albeit an imperfect hero who has flaws like the rest of us. Now, can the sane among us all please agree to simply disregard these idiotic posts from here on? Let's focus on the amazingness of what's happening with our Phils!!!— bobby- OK, Truth.....I'm really not going to get on your case again, but.....Everyone here knows how huge Howard's contributions were to get the team to this point. We're denying him his props. He would have been praised just as loudly as Stairs, if he had hit the game winner. It makes it all the more huge for Stairs because it was a *pinch hit* HR. That adds just a little more drama to the situation.— Norma
- Wow. I had been thinking that the perceived Fox bias against Philly was all in our heads, just our inferiority complex showing again. Until Matt Stairs hits his home run, and they actually sounded let down. Even more so as Feliz made the final out. Is Tim McCarver trying too hard to NOT sound like he's a former Phillie?— Boogie
- When Howard knocked in 32 RBI's in the month of Sept not one person ever sung his praises as effusively as Matt Stairs is being praised for one (granted huge) HR--— Truth
- Utley's defensive gem was huge, no doubt. My point is not to take away from any player but to make everyone take note of how quickly it is forgotten who got us here singlehandidly on his own shoulders.....— Truth
- You certainly aren't Norma! That was huge! It was lucky but certain players seem to make their own luck. Utley is one of those players. He is a complete player unlike Truth's favorite player that can't even throw the ball 60 feet (of course I know the Phils wouldn't be where they are without Howard). Victorino is this series MVP but Utley is the Phillies best player. Matt Stairs for president! Better than the two primadonnas currently running.— James TL
- MATT STAIRS FOR PRESIDENT!!!! I've loved this guy since day one. I think this was his 3rd pinch hit HR for us. And, so far, the biggest of his career. Maybe he can do it again in the World Series! Glad I'm not the only poster here who realizes how crucial Chase's unassisted double play was. I wouldn't want to sound biased. LOL! It definitley helped save the game! I won't be negative and mention Howard's throwing error. Oooops! I just did. Sorry, Truth.— Norma
- NJLouis...Aaron Who? I did think they screwed up originally..but all is forgotten now— blombard
- Are these really the Phillies? I can hardly believe my eyes! Every time you think they are about to go in the tank they do something amazing! I mean, Broxton hadn't given up a HR since September 2007 and then Matt Stairs absolutely bombs one! The Fox announcers and the dodger fans were stunned and I loved it! Keep it up Phils! I don't want to wake up!— James TL
- Another amazing game by the fightin'. Everyone came through at the right times. Without a doubt, Vic is the MVP for the series. Who would have thought he sets a clubr RBI mark for post season and we haven't even reached the WS yet. AS someone said, Aaron who? One more to go— jeff gross
- How much is Victorino reminding us of Lenny Dykstra with his play this post season? I live near NYC and the sports talk is amazing... Just like FOX out in CA doesn't quite know what to do with the Phils, they don't hear either. One prominent sports talk guy here still insists the Mets handed the Phils the East more than the Phils actually won it on their own merit. Please... The Mets wouldn't win a Little League tournament with that bullpen. And the Phils are actually cranking out hits all over the lineup and off the bench now. The Phils are firing on all cylinders. Scary stuff. I hope they do it - this might be the best chance in a generation to take it all, better even than 1993.— NJLouis66
- Anyone still think the Phils screwed up in letting Aaron Rowand get away and going with Shane Victorino?— NJLouis66
- How good could we be if Howard starts to get a pulse here??
- Truth: "What color is the sky in your world?" Because I'm not sure where your thought process is coming from. Everyone today is naturally commenting on last nights game and the heroics that gave the Fightin's an all important "W" and one step closer to the promiseland journey. Howard was certainly a part of that since his single allow Victorino to tie the game. However, he caused many of us to scream/have heart-failure when he bobbled the bunt play. Also you've got to admit Utley's doubleplay was one of the more crucial plays of the game.— KarenA
- I agree with everyone on how biased the coverage is on Fox. I also agree with the fact that Fox wants a Red Sox/Dodgers series. Too bad. I hope the Rays and my Phils win. Then Fox can shove it up their tookas! LET'S GO PHILLIES!!!!!!— FlyersFan08
- Do you think they (Fox) could've broken down and given us the estimated distance on Stairs' HR? Had to be close to 500'. If that was a Dodger HR, they probably would had some UCLA physics professor giving a post game dissertation on the trajectory and distance. Did anyone else notice Penny Marshall (LaVerne and Shirely) sitting behind the Dodgers on deck circle. She is barely recognizable. Age has no treated her well. Also caught a glimpse of Pat Sajack. Phils in 5.— RAS
- RWR: excellent summary of all the unsung heroes. I was going to write a similar post but you beat me to it 8-). I was glad that Howard didn't hang his head after the ugly error and got the 8th started with a good at-bat. He also made another hold-your-breath throw accurately on a later bunt. Madson was a little fortunate that Martin's line drive was at Utley, but Madson is really the most reliable middle reliever right now (and the only one I would trust to get Manny out if the situation came up). Ironically, the game where it became clear that Madson 'had it going' this season was a regular season game in LA, where Madson blew through the 6th and 7th, striking out Manny in the process (Durbin then blew that one in the 8th). Madson has really solidified the 'path to Lidge' down the stretch.— Statman
- *add— Gary Varsho
- Truth - time to start taking your meds again. You are the only one, other than the absent Mark1npt - that could come on here with anything negative - because you have nothing real to ad, ever.— Gary Varsho
- If we make it to the series it will be an opportunity for YOU the fans to show some class for once. Maybe the nat'l announcers will no longer hope for YOUR teams defeat. There is a reason that Philadelphia is talked about the way it is. Maybe it has to do with how YOU swallow YOUR own, how quickly you forget who carried the team in Sept. How quickly YOUR minions turn on each other, how one player can disappear for five yrs and be a folk hero the next yr. How a player can disappear for 4/6th's of a season but make one play and all of sudden he is a HOF'er again. The nation can see that YOUR nut cases. Here's YOUR chance to change YOUR perception. First step put the BEERS down and treat opposing fans with respect.— Truth
- RWR: Nice rundown on all the different contributions. It really is the little things. Howard is having an ugly postseason at the plate, and his error last night nearly sunk us, but he comes up with the single to start the 8th and set up Shane's tying homer. Even more clutch, Ruiz's single with 2 outs later that inning. I have been known to hammer Carlos for his lack of offense, but he's hitting .417 in the NLCS, and without that key hit last night, we may very well be tied up 2-2 right now. Keep it up, boys!— bobby
- One more honorable mention: To Pat Gillick, for the last-minute acquisition of Stairs before the playoff-eligibility deadline. The guy may have spit the bit on Freddy Garcia, Evil E, Wes Helms (thanks for that crushing HR against the Mets, though), Jenkins, etc., but can you possibly say enough about the under the radar pick-ups like Werth, Dobbs, and Durbin, or the in-season moves like Romero, Moyer, Iguchi and Stairs?— RollinsWasRight
- Scoop: Very funny stuff. How about McCarver and all his 'astute' observations? Like, "Ryan Howard came perilously close to not touching home plate!" Cue instant replay to show Howard sliding his huge hand right across the heart of the plate. Doh. I half expected him to say, "Ryan Howard came perilously close to falling into the Pacific Ocean as he rounded third. The ocean is only a mile or two away from this beautiful ballpark, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and visiting players often fall into the clear blue waters of the Pacific if they're not careful." Joe Buck: "Good point, Tim."— bobby
- Anybody know what innings Harry K is calling on the radio? All I ever here when I turn it on is Franzke with LA yelling in the background. Would have been nice to hear HK call one of those homeruns last night.— Matt
- gbrett: That reminds of a piece I read on ESPN.com last September, when the Phillies were in the midst of their unbelievable comeback on the Mets. Peter Gammons was writing about the character the Phillies had developed in learning to overcome that horrible bullpen they had most of the year last year, learning that they never had enough runs to be comfortable, and in continuing to score runs late, also learning that they were never out of a game until the final out. One specific line I will never forget, because it made me feel so proud of my team, Gammons wrote: "The Phillies play harder for 27 outs than any other team in Major League Baseball." Does this mean that we need to thank Jose Mesa and Antonio Alfonseca for last night's win? :) They certainly did their part in teaching these guys that the game is never over until the last out is recorded.— RollinsWasRight
- Wow. I am not sure I actually slept last night. I think I am finally beginning to come down from the adrenaline high, though. My goodness. Ok, I want to give some credit to the "unsung" heroes from last night, as I am sure Matt Stairs and Shane Victorino will get all the recognition they deserve. First, Ryan Madson, for cleaning up Chad Durbin's mess and not letting the game get away there in the 6th (btw: what is it with Durbin and Dodger Stadium???); second, Chase Utley, for one amazing unassisted double play (with honorable mention to Russell Martin for being incapable of getting a hit with men on base, which he had every time he stepped to the plate last night); third, Ryan Howard, for foiling Joe Torre's plan by leading off the 8th with a solid single off their toughest lefty out of the pen, bringing Burrell to the plate as the tying run and forcing Torre's hand in removing Kuo, and helping to atone for that costly error in the 6th; fourth, to Carlos Ruiz, for getting a clutch hit to keep the pressure on the Dodgers and keep that 8th inning alive for the Stairs-Broxton match-up; fifth, to Joe Blanton, who didn't exactly pitch great, but he once again kept the Phillies in the game and gave the offense a chance to win it; and last, but certainly not least, to Charlie Manuel, for flat-out out-managing Joe Torre, hands down. Charlie coaxed Torre into burning up all three of his lefties without using Stairs, and got the match-up he wanted in the big spot against the kid with the great fastball. Un-freaking-believable win. Now Cole gets a chance to vault us into the Series tomorrow night. 5 more to go!— RollinsWasRight
- My favorite quote from the Fox broadcasters were when they described the Phils HRs as "devasting" and "shocking". Pleeese. As I've stated before I have muted the TV for much of the series (unfortunately I didn't have it muted for the latter part of last night's game so I didn't get to hear LA & Scott F call the HRs until this morning on CSN. Did you hear LA pounding the desk and screaming "YEAH" in the background? They are the best!)— KarenA
- I just turned the sound off ,no negative remarks from Buck and McCarver. just reactions . Great GO PHILLIES GO— dad105
- P.S. I added the Way to go, we love you part - in case it isn't obvious.— gbrettfan
- Scoop that's a hoot!!— KarenA
- A quote from a good article by Bauman on mlb.com (Phillies page): And, it was a victory that reflected their character. The Phillies have come from behind in all three Championship Series victories. That sort of thing doesn't happen by accident. The Fightin' Phils are on the doorstep of the World Series, because they are not only talented enough, but resilient enough to get this far. Way to go, Phils! That's why we love you!— gbrettfan
- Tampa Bay versus Philadelphia? I guess Fox commercial breaks will go to four minutes. I can just hear the announcers, "Welcome back to our viewers. Both of them, hah-hah. While we were away, Victorino doubled, Utley singled, Howard grounded to the right side moving Utley to third, and that's where we stand as Burrell steps in. That's right Tim. Joining us in the booth for play-by-play, Manny Ramirez. Manny you batted over .500 in the NLCS. Oh, Burrell flies to deep left. That'll be deep enough to score Utley from third. Sorry to interrupt Manny. Maybe you could tell us what was going through your mind as Brett Myers threw at you."— Scoop
- Actually McCarver doesn't bother me that much because he's a former Phillie. Joe Buck is the spokesmen for Fox, and we all know he wants Dodgers/Red Sox. Karros and Kennedy looked like they were about to cry on the post game show, it's disgusting. As much as I'd love to see them wrap it up at home Friday, I think Cole will take care of business tomorrow in 5.— Matt
- 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
Comment removed.- 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
- 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
- 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
- Fox sports is a joke. Kennedy has picked the Dodgers every night to win. And the lovefest on TV with LA is horrible.— Barndog
- 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
- 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
- It's over.— Scoop
- 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
- Comment removed.
- Stairs, a Canadian, homers on Canadian Thanksgiving Day!— Jeg7777
- 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
- 5— Theo1980
- cheee heee. maika'i vic— respect
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