Jimmy Rollins led off. Placido Polanco batted second, Chase Utley third. Ryan Howard was the cleanup hitter . . . and, well, you get the picture.
"If we're going to get it done, that's our team," Manuel said. "I believe in that lineup. That's the one that carried us in the past. That's how it has to be. I've stuck with some guys all year long and I don't see no sense in not playing them now."
Manuel's faith was rewarded. The Phillies hit two three-run home runs Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. They tacked on runs when the Dodgers tightened the score and cruised comfortably to victory. They scored as many runs as they had combined in three previous games.
Finally, Howard homered. He hadn't hit a long ball since July 27, a span of 13 games, until his three-run shot in the third made it 6-1 Phillies. It was his first extra-base hit since coming off the disabled list Aug. 21.
One game does not signify that the offense's malaise is cured, but as the calendar turns from August to September, it was as encouraging a performance as the Phillies have had recently.
Starter Kyle Kendrick could not complete six innings, but the hitting overcame it. After Kendrick served up a two-run home run to James Loney in the sixth, cutting the lead to 6-4, Manuel yanked him. Kendrick slammed his glove into the dugout wall. It marked the third straight start in which he has allowed four or more earned runs.
But the bullpen - Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge - seamlessly recorded 12 outs.
Many of Manuel's players (and his bosses in the front office) have credited him all season for staying the course. There was never any panic (at least outwardly) on Manuel's part. He has tweaked his lineup at various times this season, but that was usually when he did not have his full complement of players. Now he does.
