Phils Win in 14, 1.5 Back of Mets

One and a half games. After Tuesday night's action, the Phillies now trail the Mets by one and a half games in the NL East. Amazin'. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Washington Nationals for their efforts in defeating the Mets the past two nights. Thanks to the wonder that is MLB Extra Innings, I was able to watch as Chad Cordero managed (barely) to close out the Mets in the 9th inning. (Special thanks to Mets PH Ruben Gotay who, needing only a single to score the tying runner from third, swung for the fences.) Approximately six hours later (or at least that's what it seemed like), the Phillies defeated the Cardinals in 14 innings. A week ago, it looked like the Phillies were pretty much out of playoff contention. Now, with only a 1.5 game deficit in both the Divisional and Wild Card races, it's almost time to make the reservations at the Red Roof Inn for the playoffs. (THE PLAYOFFS!)

Once the time moved past 1am, and the game moved into the 13th inning, I was no longer concerned. After 1am, the Incredible Rod Barajas and the Stupendous Duo of Intermittent Relief are unbeatable. Jose Mesa, last seen destroying Clay Condrey's ERA on Monday night, pitched two scoreless innings, picking up his second win. Blue Glove reduced his ERA to only 7.35. (Disclaimer: His AL stats (12.34 ERA) are not included in this figure.) Clay Condrey, who was charged with five runs in 0.0 innings the previous night, pitched a scoreless 14th, for his 1st save. The Phillies now have nine different relievers with saves this season. (It will be difficult to determine which relievers make the playoff roster, as there are, apparently, so many with closer's stuff.)

Rod Barajas had a two-out RBI single in the 14th, Jayson Werth followed with an RBI triple, and the Phillies had a 7-4 win. I am certain that my fellow condo-dwellers enjoyed my vocal support of the lumbering catcher, as Barajas scored from first on the triple. Before 1am, Barajas has trouble scoring from third on a ground-rule double, but he has WHEELS after 1am! After Condrey retired the side in order in the 14th, I was able to sleep the sleep of the fan of a playoff contender. (At least until I was awakened by the techno-ey music rising from beneath my floor at 3am.)

The game was plenty bizarre, as is often the way for extra-inning games in September. Especially if they involve Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa. LaRussa started the game with a reliever, and brought in a starter in the 4th inning. He allowed the reliever who started the game to bat in the 2nd inning, and then replaced him on the mound immediately after that at-bat. He used P Joel Piniero as a pinch-runner (Phillies 1B Ryan Howard opted to hold Piniero on, rather than playing off the base. Strange, that.), as well as every other player on his 40-man roster, including the grounds crew and all clubhouse personnel. He didn't bat a .140-hitting pitcher ahead of a .300-hitting infielder, as he sometimes does, but that was about the only bizarre thing he didn't do.

On the Phillies side, starter Cole Hamels allowed three runs in his three innings of work, which is usually about how many runs he permits in a month. It was his first start since coming off since coming off the DL, so we'll cut him a little slack. The Phillies bullpen allowed only a single run in eleven innings (!), surrendering a mere six (!) hits. Typically, they allow six hits before they get anybody out. The Phillies bats: only eight hits (two in the first eight innings) and eleven walks in the game. But the Phillies are invincible in five hour games that end after 1am, so their lack of offense Tuesday night was immaterial. I wonder if I should fly AirTran or Southwest down to Philly for the playoffs?