A bit of deja-vu all round last night. Randy Wolf started against his old team but the Wolf Pack was nowhere in sight. Adam Eaton started against his old team and I don't know how anyone felt about it. Both allowed 2 runs in 6 innings. San Diego started the scoring with, shades of the night before, a single by Iguchi, followed by a homer by Gonzalez. For the Phillies, Shane Victorino led off with double and was doubled in by Ryan Howard, who was then doubled in by Pat Burrell. Yes, Vic was back where he should be, in center field; Werth played right. Howard untied things in the 8th with a solo blast to right. Brad (My Guy) Lidge came in for his 7th save: 1-2-3.
This all happened on the 125th anniversary of the first game played in Philadelphia Phillies' history, back on May 1, 1883. At the time catchers played 20 or more feet behind home plate and caught the ball on a bounce. Not until 1885 did they start wearing chest protectors and in 1907, shinguards. The Phillies lost that first game but won last night to claim, for now, first in the NL East.
Meanwhile, one light was dimmed at the Sports Complex as the Sixers fizzled against the Pistons, losing the series 4-2. In the end, their surprising run was indeed a learning experience. Here's to next year.
