Through six innings it appears as if we figured out the whole Jekyll and Hyde thing with Brett Myers. That is, of course, he can keep it together before turning things over to the bullpen.
But after another 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, Myers has retired seven in a row and 16 of the last 17 for 79 pitches.
Size this up: Myers threw 21 pitches in the first inning and 58 from the second to the sixth.
Yes, it is safe to assume he has found his groove.
The same could be said for Shane Victorino, who doubled to deep center to lead off the sixth. At the same time, Victorino picked up the Phillies’ sixth double of the game, which tied a franchise record for most doubles in a post-season game. In Game 3 of the 1976 NLCS against the Big Red Machine, Garry Maddox, Greg Luzinski, Larry Bowa, Jay Johnstone and Mike Schmidt pounded out six two-baggers.
The Phillies last that game (and the series) when the Reds rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth. George Foster and Johnny Bench led off the inning with homers off Ron Reed before Ken Griffey singled in Davey Concepcion with one out off Tom Underwood.
Needless to say, it doesn’t look like the Brewers are going to morph into the Reds (or the Phillies) any time soon.
End of 6: Phillies 5, Brewers 1