2008/10/05

Phillies Advance to NLCS


The Phillies beat the Brewers in Game 4 on Sunday to advance to the National League Championship Series. The Phillies got another solid pitching contribution, this time from mid-season acquisition Joe Blanton. Blanton got the win, going 6 innings, and allowing only 1 earned run.


The Phils offense also finally contributed, really for the first time this series. Jimmy Rollins led the game off with a home run, exactly what the Phillies needed to do, getting out to the early lead. The Phillies led the entire game. In the 3rd inning, the Phillies had a man aboard with 2 outs and Ryan Howard coming to the plate. The Brewers walked Howard to get to Pat Burrell. Burrell had been struggling all series....... until this at-bat, when he destroyed a 3-run home run over the left field fence. Jayson Werth followed with a home run of his own to deep center. Burrell also homered in the 8th inning. The Phillies won the game 6-2, and will play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.


It was extremely exciting to watch this game, as the Phillies have not advanced this far in the playoffs since 1993. The celebration ensued after the game with the champagne flowing, however, every Phillies player who spoke said there was still a lot of work to be done. Joe Blanton was dealing all game long, and it is a great sign to see the Phillies pitching staff going 4 deep in the playoffs. On offense, Rollins and Burrell starred. Burrell ended the game 3-4 with two home runs, and four RBI's.

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