The Phillies closed out a game at Citizens Bank Park for a much needed 7-4 win over the Astros on a night when the Braves finally faltered in their headlong rush toward postseason.  Braves fans saw a glimmer of hope for the first time in 5 years as the perennial NL East champions made a valiant attempt but simply had too much ground to make up and too little time. 

It is all but done now.  The Phillies have 5 games to play with a 5 game lead.  Happ continued to lay claim to a spot in the postseason rotation with 5+ strong innings .  He allowed three earned runs and ran his record to 12-4, the best rookie record for a Phillie in 50 years.   Moyer and Madsen came in with a one two punch from the bullpen, and in a rare effort from the relief staff did not allow a single run ! 

Jayson Werth hit another home run and Feliz nailed a grand slam in the 4th inning to provide the firepower, Rollins and Howard also contributed with key hits.  Rollins is near the league lead in doubles and Howard is among the leaders in RBI and homeruns.  The Phillies still may become the first team to finish with 6 players scoring 100 runs, with 5 players already over 95 runs scored. 

This team remains even and capable as they approach the post season, but they have made it look a lot harder then it needed to be considering the firepower and starting pitching present on this team.  It only makes the relief pitching all the more glaring as an area that needs improvement.  It should be perfectly clear what will consume most of the upper brasses time and energy during the off season. Many of the key players here are locked into contracts for the next several years and I believe the Phillies are one good closer, or the reemergence of the old Brad Lidge, from running the table for the next two or three years.  I also believe, without addressing this need, this will be a heartbreaker of a team for some time to come. 

Here is hoping there is a saviour hidden among the stable of pitchers who will step up in the eleventh hour and save 5 or 6 key games down the stretch when the Phitens need it the most !

Tagged with: astros, Brad Lidge, Braves, J.A. Happ, Jamie Moyer, Jayson Werth, jimmy rollins, Madsen, ruan howard

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