Their magic number to clinch the National League East is seven and best record in the league is eight, meaning everything could be all wrapped up within the next week.
Even on a night when the Phillies' offense was lethargic and a packed home crowd willed the skidding Brewers, the visiting team still won. If it wasn't for a few nagging injuries, the Phillies would probably be quite content for the postseason to begin at this very moment.
"If you're around our team, you don't hear too many guys talk about losing or winning," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We think we're going to win."
They won when Carlos Ruiz, who was steamrolled at home plate in the second inning, dropped down a bunt in the 10th. LaTroy Hawkins, Milwaukee's ageless reliever, fielded the ball and promptly threw it into the camera well in the first-base stands. That scored Raul Ibanez, who doubled to start the inning.
Ruiz had just three sacrifice bunts in the last two years before Saturday. He placed a perfect ball up the grass and into no-man's-land.
"I like to do it in the cage before I take my swings," Ruiz said. "At one point, in a big situation, you'll need to bunt. You have to do it right. The little things, you have to do those to win the game."
The chief priority in September is maintaining health. The Phillies welcomed back Jimmy Rollins on Saturday only because Wilson Valdez departed with a left hamstring injury. He could be sidelined for some time, Manuel said.
Rollins will not start until probably Monday in Houston, but he played an inning without issue Saturday.
