Phils Come-From-Behind to Win Game, Series

With a 4-1 deficit after three innings, it looked as if another mediocre Jamie Moyer start would end the Phils' winning streak at a single game. But The Power of the Closed-Door Meeting overcame poor starting pitching, and the fourth consecutive start by Eric Bruntlett, in a 5-4 series-winning victory in Toronto. A two-run fourth-inning triple by Chase Utley keyed a four-run outburst, Jayson Werth reached base in all five plate appearances (four walks and a single), and the Phils never trailed after the fourth inning.

Jamie Moyer survived five innings, and managed to keep the Blue Jays off the scoreboard in his final two frames. In his first three frames, Moyer surrendered four runs, all scoring on the three home runs allowed by the soft-tossing veteran. Moyer got the win, the 252nd of his career, but the lefty has the Phils' offense, and the bullpen, to thank. Moyer was victimized for five hits and two walks, before being pulled after throwing only eight-two pitches.

The Phils, with a slim 5-4 lead, needed four innings from their bullpen. Fortunately, with J.A. Happ's complete-game shutout on Saturday, the relief corps was rested. Chan Ho Park had left Friday night's game with a knee injury, after facing only one batter. Park returned Sunday, and retired all six batters he faced, bridging the game to the Mighty Madson-Lidge Duo. Two Jays reached base on Madson in the eighth, but he pitched out of trouble. Lidge, in his first save opportunity since his return from a knee injury, also allowed two baserunners. One of those baserunners reached first on a bunt single, as Lidge handled the play with the agility of a pitcher with a knee injury. Lidge escaped further damage for the save, and the Phils had a one-run interleague victory, a series win, and a two-game winning streak.

The entire Phillies' pitching staff will get Monday off, as the Phils travel to Atlanta. Cole Hamels will get the start on Tuesday, and will outpitch Derek Lowe, extending the Phils' streak to three consecutive wins. Eric Bruntlett will be the second right-handed pinch-hitting option, and will remain in the dugout, along with third-string backstop Gabor Paul Bako II. Jack Taschner will observe the victory from the bullpen. Jimmy Rollins will be back in the leadoff spot, and all will be right again for the WFCs.