That’s right folks, the Phillies have clawed and fought their way back to the .500 mark. They have done this with stellar pitching, good defense and timely hitting.
Photo Credit: BJ Wilson
You know, all the fundamental ways to win ballgames.
When the Phillies traded away Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence on July 31st, they were conceding that this year was not their year and they needed to build for the future. And that was absolutely the right decision.
The thing is, no one told the Phillies players that the season was over.
After being 14 games below .500 at the trade deadline, the Phillies are finally even again. They have gone 25-13 in that time-span.
Last night, on a night where Roy Halladay did not have his best stuff, everyone contributed.
Photo Credit: BJ Wilson
Jimmy Rollins hit a huge 2-run homerun after he was given an extra out. He actually popped the previous pitch up behind homeplate, but the Marlins catcher dropped the ball.
Juan Pierre went 3-4 with an RBI.
Chase Utley was 3-3 with an RBI and two walks. His batting average is sneaking it’s way back up.
Carlos Ruiz returned to the starting line-up for the first time since August 2. He also went 1-3 with an RBI.
Domonic Brown, the Phillies big enigma, went 2-5 with an RBI.
John Mayberry Jr, Michael Martinez, Ryan Howard and even Roy Halladay all contributed with hits.
The bullpen tried to blow it, but they managed to keep it together.
This was a team that played together. This is a team that has never truly believed that they were out of it and now, this is a team that is in the thick of it.
Will it continue? I think so.
The Phillies have been playing great ball lately. They look like the team that they were suppose to be all along. A team that has dominated the NL East for the last 4 years and won the NL East title for the last 5.
Most importantly, the Phillies are playing with a mindset of nothing to lose and everything to gain. And that is what is making them so dangerous right now.
Karilee Jeantet is Lead Contributor for A View From Section 116. Follow her on Twitter @kjeantet and @viewfromsec116 and e-mail her AViewFromSection116@gmail.com.
