That's how Charlie Manuel explained in part his tough decision to pull Brad Lidge with the bases loaded and one out in last night's 9th inning in D.C. "The team, the game, is bigger than my heart and bigger than anything else to tell you the truth," said Manuel. The move worked, because Ryan Madson came in and struck out Ryan Zimmerman on three pitches, then got big-bopper Adam Dunn to ground out.
The Phillies won 5-3 on the strength of five solo homers, including two by Ibanez and one each by Werth, Ruiz, and Utley. Ibanez, who looks as if he may be coming out of his post-injury slump, now has 30 homers. Utley too reached 30 last night. That gives the Phillies four players with 30 or more homers; the other two: Howard and Werth.
Pedro Martinez went 6.2 innings and gave up three runs. Pedro as stopper. Who'da thunk it? He is now 4-0; the Phillies have won all of his starts.
The Phillies get a much-needed win after an awful, awful series in Houston, where they were outplayed every which way.
