With one outs and two on in the sixth as Jamie Moyer approached 100 pitches and made his third time through the Nationals’ lineup, Charlie Manuel sauntered out to the mound and called for Tom Gordon.
Even though Moyer allowed just five hits to go with six strikeouts and no walks in 5 1/3 innings, Manuel’s move was pretty smart. After all, when teams catch up to Moyer, it gets ugly fast. Moreover, the Phils’ skipper likely will have Kyle Lohse to add to the bullpen mix with Gordon, J.C. Romero and closer Brett Myers. That gives him a full arsenal to work with.
Besides, it’s clear that Manuel is not taking any chances with anything for the rest of the ride… wherever it may take the Phillies.
And as much as some folks do not want to admit it, Manuel has pushed all the right buttons all season long.
In the sixth, the Phillies added two runs highlighted by Jimmy Rollins’ 20th triple of the season. The triple makes Rollins just the fourth player in Major League history to get at least 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 homers, and 20 stolen bases in a season. The other players are Curtis Granderson (this season for Detroit), Willie Mays (1957), and Frank “Wildfire” Schulte (1911).
The Phils lead by four with nine outs to go.
They're heading for the exits at Shea.