It seems to me that the Phillies rarely do well in Milwaukee but I don't have the time to check the splits. With that thought in mind, I didn't have much optimism for a clinch in the city of brats and beer. Thursday night, a must-win game after the devastating loss on Wednesday, J.A. Happ was sturdy, the offense pummeled Brewer starter Jeff Suppan, and the Phillies took the game 9-4. Last night Cliff Lee got tuned up for seven runs, including four in the first, in six innings, and the offense looked like the living dead. They did mount a faint rally late but Trevor Hoffman came in to snuff it out in the 8-4 win for the Brew crew.
Paul Hoover caught in place of back-up Paul Bako, who banged up his knee in a terrific play at the plate Thursday night; Hoover had two hits. Way to go, IronPiggie! Andy Tracy, pinch-hitting in the 9th, also got a hit.
Please get this thing clinched ASAP so that the regulars can get some rest. Utley, Victorino, and Werth look as if they need it. Earlier on last night I was switching during breaks to the Boston-NY game and happened to see the line drive that felled Jon Lester. It scared me immediately back to the Phillies, already down, just to make sure no one else got hurt.
Keep your brats and beer, Milwaukee. I'll take Guinness.
