If you’re going to give Roy Halladay only one run to work with, he’s going to win with that one run.
The Phils scored two batters into the game but were shut down. But it was all Doc needed to earn his 18th win of the season, and finally posting his first complete game shut out of the year as the Phils beat Houston 1-0 to prevent a sweep.
The Phils clinched a playoff spot with today’s win. It’s the first time in Philadelphia baseball history that a team reached the playoffs five straight years. It is also the fastest a Phillies team has clinched a post season birth. The 1915 Phillies did it in 148 games with far less games to play whereas this team did it in 146 games.
Halladay pitched his 8th complete game of the season, and first shut out, scattering six hits and one walk over his nine innings while striking out six. His gem stopped the bleeding of a three-game losing streak, getting the Phillies out of Houston alive.
Halladay needed only 114 pitches, 86 of them strikes. His team only needed two hours and six minutes to put away the Astros.
Shane Victorino led off the game with a line drive into left center. The ball was cut off by CF Jordan Schafer but Victorino legged out a double anyway. The next batter was Placido Polanco and he drove in Victorino for the quick strike.
The double was a huge step in the right direction for Victorino, who has been struggling as of late. He entered today’s game 3-for-27 since September 7 with eight strike outs.
The Phils travel back home for a double header game with the Marlins in two make up games from Hurricane Irene. Kyle Kendrick will pitch the day game while Cliff Lee pitches the night game.
2B: Victorino (26).
WP: Halladay (18-5). LP: Norris (6-10).
TTB 