At the start of each inning, Cliff Lee goes to the mound, windmills his left arm, then makes a phantom pitch towards the outfield. A quick worker, he says he started this routine because he was always ready to go before his mates and it gave him something to do while waiting. I listened to last night's game while doing laundry and pickling peppers. Joe Blanton, who has been a brick for months, finally got some winning run support thanks to a clutch two-run double in the 7th by Carlos Ruiz. Blanton went seven, giving up three hits and one run, a solo homer by Martin Prado. Chase Utley (who else) tied the game in the 4th with a solo shot of his own, off Braves starter Jair Jurjjens.
Starting in the 1st, Jimmy Rollins was the defensive star of the game. He was also in the middle of a spectacular 4-6-5 double play, started of course by Chase Utley. That was in the 8th, when Scott Eyre came on in relief of Ryan Madson, with no outs, one run in, and two on base. Eyre, who had not pitched since August 16, got the double play, then the third out to preserve a 3-2 lead. Lidge came in for a 1-2-3 save in the 9th. The Phillies took two of three from the Braves. They and the Marlins are both nine behind in the loss column. One month to go.
Eyre was interviewed for the postgame show. In spring season he had said that this would be his last year. He now says that he and his wife have yet to talk it over but maybe he'll stay on another year if the Phillies will have him. It's that much fun, he says, being in the bullpen and playing with this group of guys. One reason for sure that this team is so popular.
