I was waiting all summer for these commemorative stamps to come out and they are now here. Barry Zito pitched his game early but the Phillies played their game from the fifth on. The Giants took a 1st-inning lead on a doubleplay ground-out and a solo homer by Pat Burrell. (Got that quickly out of the way.) Burrell, playing in his first regular-season game at the 'Zen since 2008, got a standing O when first announced but the big noise was for Chase Utley, playing in his first game since June 28. He went 0 for 5 but it was great to see him back.
After the first, Roy Oswalt, previously 0-3 against the Giants, was pretty much in control. The Phillies tied the game in the 5th and went ahead 4-2 in the 6th. The Giants made it closer in the 7th on a solo shot by Jose Guillen. Then came the ugly eighth, ugly that is for Giant pitching and fielding. By the time it was over, the Phillies had added five runs to their lead. Chad Durbin came in to finish off the game and secure the 9-3 victory, which put the Phillies in sole possession of the NL wild card lead.
Placido Polanco went 4 for 4, Rollins had a three RBI night, Victorino knocked in the go-ahead runs in the 6th with a double, and on and on it went. The only home runs were by the Giants. The Phillies have not homered in their past six games. In that span, they are 5-1.
Tonight it's hard-throwing Matt Cain v. enigmatic Joe Blanton.
