The Phillies snatched victory from the jaws of defeat last night, beating the Dodgers in L.A. 7-5 on a pair of two-run homers in the eighth inning, first by Shane Victorino and then by Matt Stairs. The Phils now take a 3-1 lead and will have three chances to clinch a trip to the World Series. A few observations:
- Ace Cole Hamels starts Game 5 Wednesday night, scheduled for the exact same time as the third presidential debate, which I suppose isn't as bad for the Phillies as a game in the Milwaukee series going right up against an Eagles game. But I'm going to a wedding Saturday, so they had better wrap it up by then.
- This game marked the first Dodgers-Phillies game this year, in either the regular season or playoffs, in which the road team won.
- After complaining about having the ball thrown at his head in Game 3, Shane Victorino has emerged as Public Enemy #1 among Dodgers fans (or perhaps #2, behind postgame traffic.) Seems sort of bizarre, although for someone with such a reputation as a sweet guy, I've now seen Victorino nearly fight people on the field twice in three weeks.
- What a play by Chase Utley in the 6th with the bases loaded, catching a line drive and then, literally, crawling to second base to tag it for the unassisted double play.
- Charlie Manuel, a man that much of Philly believed as late as last year was the worst manager in the history of the game, appears to be thoroughly outmanaging Joe Torre, a four-time world champion and likely Hall of Fame manager. Then again, maybe this strengthens my theory that managers are overrated and much of what happens has more to do with either player skill or luck.
After all, doesn't every fan think their manager is an idiot? You watch a whole season of games you're going to see some mistakes. Whole swathes of baseball fandom believe Torre and Tony LaRussa, both winners of multiple championships, are utter morons, most Twins fans I know think Ron Gardenhire is a buffoon, and there are even many Red Sox fans who doubt Terry Francona.
- Good thing Brad Lidge got out of that first-and-third jam in the bottom of the eighth. Because if he'd given up a homer to Manny or James Loney, he could look forward to having that highlight shown on TV, oh, every time he pitches for the next three years, replacing the Pujols jack of 2005.
Stadium with the worst post-game traffic?
From my experience thus far - Miller Park tops that list.
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