No matter what went wrong – and plenty did in the eighth inning alone – the Phillies were not going to lose. And now they have overtaken the Atlanta Braves for first place in the National League East.
"We've climbed the ladder," said Shane Victorino, who created the winning run in the eighth inning. "We've come a long way. Let's not start praising too much. There's a lot of games left, but now we're in the position where we control our destiny."
Thanks to San Diego's recent slide, the Phillies have a chance to earn home field throughout the postseason. That's a pretty sweet setup, provided they can get there. It is a delicate balance that begins with the starting rotation.
Ideally, the Phillies would set things up so Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels would start the first three games of the division series. Realistically, though, those three might have to start the Phillies' final three games in Atlanta just to clinch a spot in that series.
"We've got to get to the postseason," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "I don't think there's an X next to our names that says we're in the postseason yet."
Dubee was responding to questions about the rotation. With off days the next three Thursdays, the Phillies could opt to give Halladay, especially, a little extra rest between starts or, conversely, skip Kyle Kendrick's turn and squeeze an extra start or two from the aces.
It is a little more complicated a dilemma than it appears. After he pitched Saturday night, Halladay was asked whether those off days were coming at a good time. He is 33 years old and already has pitched 221 innings this season. He is on pace to exceed his career high of 266, which he threw at age 26. He has never pitched in the postseason.
