Anyone who thinks that Charlie Manuel doesn’t know his team should have watched the last two games of the NLDS.   Manuel puts players in positions to succeed and believes in them that they can do so.   Brad Lidge was put in save situations in both games three and four of the series and came thru in both…….yes, it caused us Phillie Phans angina but in the end the Fightins came thru!

Sunday nights game lasted till 2:30 AM EDT and it was a tense game throughout played in below freezing tempatures!   I, like many other faithful Phillie Phans watched every pitch and once again was amazed at the resiliency of this crew as big Ryan Howard drove in Jimmy Rollins with the game winner in the top of the ninth and the Mr. Lidge did his thing to end the contest.

Game Four saw Cliff Lee throw again like an ace should as he held the Rockies at bay thru seven and one third innings.  The young Rockies showed thier moxie as they scored three times in the home eigth to take a 4-2 lead.  I would be lieing if I said I had faith the Fightins could come back but this team doesn’t understand how to give up and J-Roll got them started with a one out single off of Huston Street, his third hit off of Street in three at bats in the series!  After Shane VIctorino forced Rollins at second for the second out of the inning one had to wonder if the series was indeed going back to Philly.   Chase Utley worked a truly professional at bat and walked on a 3-2 count to set the stage for Mr. Howard.   The big man did not disapoint and belted a two run double to score both runners and tie the game.  Jayson Werth then hit a clutch single to score Howard with the go ahead.

Scott Eyre started the ninth to get the lefties out and recored two outs but did give up two hits and then Mr. Manuel went to Lidge.  Brad Lidge threw some nasty sliders to Troy Tuliwitzki and as Harry the K would say “struck him out!”.    Series over and on to L.A. for the second tier of the playoffs, don’t count these boys out……… the Fightins are for freakin real!

Chatter

Shane Victorino actually overran the bag when he scored on the double by Howard and had to come back to get it before proceeding to score!  I think he thought it might leave the yard and he was watching the ball instead of the basepath.    After the game Charlie had the best quote of the season…… “Don’t be scared” is what he tells his team when they are in the pressure spots, Charlie is the man! 

Beat L.A. !!!!