When Zach Braddock was announced as the Brewers' reliever in the 7th, these people popped out of their seats and started screaming. Their shirt fronts read: Phillies' fan by choice, Brewers' fan by blood. Braddock turned out to be a local (New Jersey) kid, who was no doubt amped for his debut at CBP.There was no doubt either about the wind last night. It was blowing out. Fielder and Escobar hit solo homers for the Brewers in the top of the 2nd. Howard and Werth followed with back-to-back shots in the bottom. Corey Hart added a solo home run in the top of the 3rd. (Did I mention that Roy Halladay was facing Dave Bush, who last spring took a no-no into the 8th at CBP?) The Phillies cobbled some hits together in the bottom to even the score at 3-3. The game then quieted down and defense took over. Ibanez made a great catch at the wall and shortstops Escobar and Rollins flashed serious leather.
In the 7th, Halladay allowed another solo home run to Corey Hart, the first time Halladay has allowed more than three home runs in a game. In the bottom of the inning, though, the Phillies loaded the bases. Carlos Ruiz scored on a shallow fly ball by Placido Polanco. When Ryan Braun's throw sailed by Brewer catcher Jonathan Lucroy, pinch-hitter Wilson Valdez blazed his way from third, just eluding Lecroy's tag to put the Phillies up 5-4.
It was then up to the bullpen. Romero, Madson, and Lidge handled things quite nicely. Shane Victorino took care of the final out with a super running catch at the wall in deep left center. Halladay got the win and everyone sang "High Hopes" as they headed for the exits.
Most of the sell-out crowd was there right to the end. It was cool enough to make one think of October. The magic was definitely in the air.
