Phils Custom Order Win #1

The champs did just what they needed to do. In Hollywood, they couldn't have scripted it better for the Phils. Thursday, it will by "Hollywood" Hamels taking the ball from current staff Ace Cliff Lee, who showed what he was made of and gave fans every reason to believe Wednesday. Lee shutdown the Rockies in a 9-inning, 1-run gem, striking out 5, while walking none. If this is the Cliff Lee we are going to see throughout the playoffs, the one we saw when he 1st joined the Phils, then the reigning AL Cy Young winner may fulfill his dream to pitch in the World Series for the defending World Series Champions.

Jayson Werth picked up where he left off last October when he led all position players by hitting .309 in the playoffs. Wednesday, he led the Phillies in more ways than one. He gunned out Colorado's Torrealba at 3rd Base in the 2nd, then got the Phils 1st hit. By the end of the day, Werth had gone 2-3 with 2 runs, an rbi and a triple that would have been a HR if not for titanic winds blowing in. (In fact, Werth's trot to 1st cost him an inside-the-park HR).

Somehow, though, everything came up roses. Howard's botched play in the 1st, Ruiz's base-running blunder in the 5th, none of the mistakes added up, because the man on the mound was in complete control. Lee, in his 1st-ever playoff game, retired 16-straight batters at one point. Every aspect of the game went right for the Phils, even 2 questionable calls. Charlie Manuel couldn't have drawn it up more ideally: each player on his lineup card got at least one hit, including pitcher Cliff Lee. Werth, Howard and Ibanez each had 2. It was Champions Day at Citizens Bank Park.
Jimmy Rollins flashed defensive brilliance all day and raced to near left field for a foul catch in the 3rd. If Hamels pitches like Lee did today, which is to say like Hamels did last October, the Rockies will be fodder and the next opponent irrelevant. With 12 hits in Game 1, the Phillies wrecking crew of a batting order made their voices heard. More importantly, Lee's total dominance left the door open for another run at the title. Now, the baton passes to Mr. Hollywood. This is his stage. Like riding a bicycle, all he has to do is get back on and find that groove, once again. If he can, there will be every reason to hope.