One win away
Phillies take Game 4
The home run was just the icing, the symbolic wink that this was the Phillies’ night. The six-plus innings, two runs and seven strikeouts were the heart of the matter.
Call him “Joe the Pitcher,” “Joe the Lumber” or whatever you want. The fact is, Joe Blanton wins big games, and he just won his biggest to date.
Phillies hitters not named Joe collectively broke out of their slumber, exploding for 10 runs. Feast-or-famine Ryan Howard has been bringing home the bacon lately, a sleeping giant suddenly wide awake. And, right now, at this moment, Philadelphia is one win away from a World Championship.
One win away. How old were you the last time Philadelphia won a major championship? One win away. Are you old enough to remember?
One win away.
Florida fallout: While Philadelphia fans are busy knocking on wood and trying not to think too far ahead, people in the Tampa Bay area are wondering why the Rays don’t look like the Rays, asking if their dream season could really just fizzle out, theorizing about a splotch and ripping Philly’s lowlifes. Meanwhile, former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Bill Lyon is enjoying his guest role.
Building a legacy: Four postseason starts, four wins. A playoff earned-run average of 1.55. A National League Championship Series MVP award. He’s the long, lanky, soft-spoken, smiling lefty with devastatig stuff, the ace Philadelphia wanted on the mound in a potentially deciding game. And here he is. With a win tonight, Cole Hamels could cement his legend in Philadelphia and World Series history.
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