Philadelphia Phillies Clinch 5th Straight NL East Crown
The Philadelphia Phillies won their 98th game of the season and clinched the National League East title for the 5th straight year. The Phillies were already guaranteed a playoff spot but were able to ice the division and pop the bubbly.
The Phillies have had an amazing year, and lived up to every one of the many expectations that were placed on this team… So far. Of course the grandest and biggest of goal is still six weeks from even being possible. For this Phillies team and it’s historic starting rotation, it is World Series or bust.
Speaking of rotations, Roy Oswalt who has battled back issues for a large part of the season pitched another very solid game, likely cementing his place in the postseason rotation. Oswalt pitched 7 innings of shutout baseball, yielded 5 hits an struck out 7.
The Phillies’ bullpen once again ran into some trouble. Rookie Michael Stutes was able to record 2 outs on 7 pitches in the 8th inning as he relieved Roy Oswalt, then turned around and gave up two runs and four straight hits to get the game to 3-2. Brad Lidge emerged from the Phillies bullpen to get the third out on one pitch.
The Phillies added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when Shane Victorino singled in Carlos Ruiz. Chase Utley ran hard to second on a bases loaded Hunter Pence grounder, and forced Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal to have to rush a throw to first base. Pence beat the throw and Jimmy Rollins scored to make it 5-2. Raul Ibanez then hit his 9th career grand slam to make it 9-2.
Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless 9th and Chase Utley barehanded a bounding ball and threw out a runner at 1st for the final out and the celebration began. For this team, a division title is nice, and a necessary step, but ultimately doesn’t mean very much.
That was not the case for Hunter Pence, the trade deadline acquisition from the Houston Astros has never experienced clinching anything, and has never played postseason baseball. “This is really special and something they won’t be able to take off the board. The 2011 Philadelphia Phillies.” Pence said, visibly fired up. His teammates waited for him to get into the clubhouse before commencing the celebrating.
For fans of the Phillies, the expectation is that this will be the first of several celebrations that will culminate on Broad Street with a World Series championship parade.
Photo Courtesy of Renee Cendrowski
