The Pirates have taken 2 of 3 from the Braves, who have lost 5 of their last 6. The Phillies were 7 out near the end of July, and they're now in first. All despite having their bullpen (sans Ryan Madson, who did well) look about as sturdy as the buddies from "Hangover" the morning after, all despite having Jayson Werth and Chase Utley make boneheaded throws and the normally reliable (as the "bank", except, well, since 2008 that analogy probably isn't what it once was) Carlos Ruiz suffer a passed ball that caused the game to be tied at 7. But, Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino all hit well, and a timely hit from Placido Polanco but the Phillies up 8-7 in the bottom of the eighth. Ryan Madson once again pitched great in relief, and the Phillies are now up 1/2 game on the Braves.
A pretty amazing comeback given all the injuries that the team suffered during the season. Much baseball remains to be played, but the Phillies are the first team in the NL to have reached 80 wins. They will savor the victory at McFadden's, at Chickie's & Pete's, Bennie the Bum's and every tappy and gin joint from Oregon Avenue all the way up to Aramingo and beyond.
Now if only, somehow, some way, I could unload my tickets on StubHub for Wednesday night. Why they haven't moved -- at a reasonable price -- is a mystery.
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