Philadelphia Phillies in firm control of the NL East after 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves
After being behind in the division for most of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies now hold a commanding lead over the Atlanta Braves, defeating them 5-3 Tuesday night.
Roy Halladay led the charge for the Phillies pitching seven solid innings giving up just seven hits and three earned runs while walking two and striking out three. In doing so he earned win no. 20 on the
season becoming the first Phillies player to do so since Steve Carlton back in 1982.
“It’s definitely special but the best part about it is it’s been secondary for me,” Halladay said. “Being able to get to the playoffs is the priority.”
The offence of the Phillies got on top of Atlanta’s rookie starting pitcher Mike Minor early. Minor only ended up recording seven outs while giving up seven hits and three earned runs.
Jayson Werth got the Phillies on the board in the third inning when he hit home run no. 25 on the season to give Philadelphia a 3-0 lead after three innings. Atlanta closed the lead down to 3-2 with one run
in the fifth and six innings. Raul Ibanez opened it back up with a double in the bottom of the sixth that scored Ryan Howard and Werth.
Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless eighth inning to get hold no. 14 on the season. Brad Lidge pitched the ninth inning for save no. 25 on the season.
Right now the Phillies could not have things workout any better than they have recently. Since falling seven games behind the Braves on 21 July the Phillies have won 43 games while losing only 15. Perhaps
even more telling is their record in September—17-3.
"We're doing exactly the right things at the right time," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. "We're catching the ball at the right time. We're not scorching the ball sometimes, but we're getting the hits
at the right time and we are definitely pitching at the right time."
With the win the Phillies improve to 91-61 on the season and now hold a five game lead over the Braves with 10 games left to play in the regular season. Atlanta still holds a one game advantage over the San
Diego Padres for the NL wild card.
Roy Oswalt is scheduled to take the mound for the Phillies in the series finale on Wednesday with Tommy Hanson set to do so for the Braves.
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