Billy Wagner almost blew it in the 8th, giving up three runs, but in the end he got Raul Ibanez swinging with the tying run on base. Danys Baez did blow it, in the 4th. Cole Hamels looked good in his two tune-up innings, while Roy Oswalt did not seem quite tuned in in his one inning. John Mayberry hit a two-run blast to give the Phillies a brief lead. Werth also hit a two-run homer but by then the Braves had eight on the board. Is this bye-bye, Baez, for the play-offs? Please say yes. Bobby Cox did the beleaguered Brooks Conrad a service by playing him at 2nd today. Conrad made one error but was key in the Braves' offense. Redemption is sweet.
And someone please plunk Tim Hudson. Seriously. Hudson nailed Carlos Ruiz on the elbow in his first at-bat and almost took him down. Ruiz looked to be fighting back tears. Hudson is the one who did the same to Placido Polanco in April, putting him on the DL and causing all kinds of elbow problems throughout the season. Polanco, who had his 4th cortisone shot on Wednesday, has been playing through pain all season and will have surgery this winter.
I doubt that he does it on purpose but Hudson seems to have a talent for hitting Phillies on the elbow. I would like to think that Roy Oswalt would have plunked Hudson in his next at-bat were it not for the circumstances. Next season will be time enough. Ruiz left the game and there is still no word on his condition.
The Phillies finish September/October with a 23-7 record. Their season record of 97-65 is the best in baseball. Since July 22, the turnaround point of the season, they are 49-19. Under Charlie Manuel, the Phillies have been the best second-half team in the National League since 2005.
Looks like it's going to be the Reds in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
