"OK," closer Brett Myers said. "Now it's really time to take care of business."
The Phillies are a game behind the Mets in the National League East with just four games to play. They remain one game behind the front-running San Diego Padres in the NL wild-card race, tied with the Colorado Rockies for second.
Either way, the Phillies are close.
Either way, they like their chances if they take care of business.
"I just want to see that upper deck full [tonight]," Myers said. "I want so many people here that I can't even get home because of the traffic. I think that's what we all want to see. I know it's a school night, but come on. Let's go. Let's get it done."
Kyle Lohse got it done last night. Other than the two-run home run Mark Teixeira hit over the 409-foot mark in center field in the fourth, Lohse pitched well. He allowed just six hits, two runs and no walks in seven innings. He struck out five.
He finished strong. He threw just five pitches in the sixth and six pitches in the seventh for 89 total pitches.
He did exactly what the Phillies wanted in a must-win game.
"I know what it's like to pitch in those games," Lohse said. "It's a lot of fun, but at the same time there's a lot of pressure."
He got early run support to help him relax.
Jimmy Rollins tripled and scored on Ryan Howard's two-out single to center field in the first inning to make it 1-0.
The Phillies scored three more runs in the third to take a 4-0 lead.
Braves righthander Tim Hudson hit Chase Utley in the foot with a pitch with one out. Burrell bounced out for the second out, and Hudson intentionally walked Howard to put runners on first and second.
Aaron Rowand hit a chopper to third.
It looked like a sure out.
The inning could have been over.
