Phils Smash Sabathia, Brewers In Grand Fashion

Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, October 02, 2008 11:59 PM

In front of the largest crowd at Citizens Bank Park history, the Phillies lined up against Brewers ace CC Sabathia, and patiently, then painfully, shot him down. Behind the offense and a beautiful start by Brett Myers, the Phillies won 5-2 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five National League Division Series.

The win had two obvious stars. First, there’s Shane Victorino, who ripped a two-strike Sabathia pitch into the left field seats for a grand slam. It put the Phils up 5-1, securing a win and lifting the bank to mammoth noise levels. Not to be lost in the madness, Victorino also doubled twice and was intentionally walked. Yeah, when you’re intentionally walked in front of Chase Utley, you’re doing something right.

The other star was clearly Myers, who settled in after a tough first inning and was dominant against Milwaukee. He kept the ball low, he mixed his pitches, he wasn’t afraid to throw balls. In all, he induced 10 ground ball outs and four strikeouts in seven solid innings of two-hit ball. But the most memorable moment of Myers’ start was on the other side. Before Vic knocked his granny, Myers kept the inning alive. With two outs and a runner on third, Myers quickly went down 0-and-2 to Sabathia. Then, he took a ball. Then a foul. Then another ball. Another foul. Cheering. Ball. Full count — wild. Foul. Crowd going nuts. Ball four. Myers’ legendary at bat helped load the bases for Vic.

He did it once more in the fourth. Handicapped with an 0-2 count again, he fouled off pitches and took more balls, leading to a fly ball out, but forever winning the respect of Philadelphians. Myers made Sabathia throw 19 pitches in his two at bats — 19 percent of Sabathia’s pitches. Unbelievable. And as Myers wore down Sabathia at the plate, the crowd helped keep Sabathia on edge. Together, they helped take down the beast.

Other players helped contribute to the cause. Jimmy Rollins had two hits, and Jayson Werth also had two. The heart of the offense, however, had an 0-fer — not exactly a good thing. Still, the Phils made it look easy — really, really easy. Charlie Manuel even had the stones to throw Brad Lidge in the ninth again; this time, the closer had a simple 12-pitch inning to grab another save.

Associated Press photo

Permalink Comments (37) | Trackback (4)

37 Responses to “Phils Smash Sabathia, Brewers In Grand Fashion”

  1. Sean M Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 am

    HOW ‘BOUT THAT FLYIN’ HAWAIIAN! GO PHILLIES!!!!

  2. Dice Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:29 am

    Brett Myers really wore down Sabathia with his gutsy plate apperances and the crowd responses of just getting louder with each pitch was wonderful. Safe to say it got into Sabathia’s head.

  3. Joephilly Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:34 am

    Well considering we dont choke awayt the next three games (phillies…no lead is safe) and the dodgers can win a game at home it looks like were gonna get homefield in the nlcs…the way the dodgers are manhandling the cubs right now…this wont be a cake walk

  4. NateB Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:49 am

    That was the most amazing and exciting game the Phils have played in 15 years!!! GO ALL THE WAY PHILLIES!!!!

  5. NEPA Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 2:26 am

    We are one win from the NLCS. How good does that feel? Take it in,

  6. Lewisauce Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 am

    And Lidge gets a day off today (well, everybody does, I know, but he’s the only one who probably really needs it).

    Woo-hooooo! Go Phils!

  7. Mark Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 5:06 am

    This is what’s called Stewin’ some Brew. Way to go Myers and Victorino.
    I;m stunned at how the Dodgers are man-handling the Cubs.

  8. » Phillies Beat Brewers Again on Victorino’s Slam, Myers’ Pitching | Blogging-Baseball.com Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 5:47 am

    [...] looked primed for another fiasco following a near disastrous first inning.  Phillies Nation’s Tim Malcolm sums up Myers’ turn-around; Myers, who settled in after a tough first inning… was [...]

  9. BrewTownPhilsPhan Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 5:54 am

    I said this on the game thread, but how cool are Philly fans? I’ve watched baseball in plenty of stadiums where most of the crowd wouldn’t have known how improbable or important Meyers’ at bat was without announcers to tell them. The crowd’s reaction to that showed that it appreciates the finer points – and this was before Rollins walked, with no one thinking “grand slam.” I’m usually not one to think that crowd noise plays that much of a role with pro athletes, but that was clearly an exception. Brett was feeding off the crowd, smiling at their cheers, and it obviously got into CC’s head. You think the two walks to Rollins had nothing to do with the crowd’s reaction to Meyers? So every time I hear the inevitable reference to “the city that booed Santa Clause,” I’m gonna think, “Yeah, and the city that went nuts when Brett Meyers broke a bat fouling off a two-two pitch.”

  10. rk Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 6:46 am

    does anybody have the audio from Myers at bat to Vic’s slam

  11. PhillieInBeantown Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 6:53 am

    Man…watching the crowd during Myers’ at-bat was exhilarating!! Nowhere else in the Majors would you see a crowd cheer their pitcher on at the plate like that!! God I love my philly fans!! Totally miss you guys and wish I could be there with ya!

  12. NC Jason Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 7:01 am

    Phillies beat CC, They are now one win away from the NLCS, and if La holds – that means home field!

    Everything is coming up Milhouse!

  13. Gary B Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 8:12 am

    Unfortunately I wasn’t there to witness it first hand but what that crowd did for Myers made me proud to be a Philly fan! And Myers performance on both sides were nothing short of amazing! GO PHILS!

  14. dan Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 8:12 am

    It was awesome the way the crowd responded to Myers’ at-bat. However, I was at both games and last night the crowd seemed more dull. Maybe it was just my section, but we couldn’t even get Vic a standing ovation when he came up after the grand slam? I know all of Myers’ at-bats were nuts, and generally all of the second inning, but besides that it seamed weak to me. Correct me if I’m wrong.

  15. Dennis Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 am

    Dennis Says:
    October 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 am
    “I understand Sabathia has been ‘lights out’ since he came over from the Indians. But to call him a ‘big game’ pitcher as someone did 2 post ago is a little ridiculous. Yes he is probably the main reason the Brew Crew are playing October baseball, but this guy was horrendus last year in the postseason. He was hit pretty good in all three playoff games last year, yes that was against the Red Sox and Yankees but if anyone can hit a ‘dominant’ pitcher, I would like to think it’s our Phillies…”

    Just a genius comment 24 hours ago….

  16. dan Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 am

    By the way, you can watch all three of Myers’ at-bats here:
    http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200810033585903

  17. Chase Andrews Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am

    What a game. Can’t afford to leave the bases loaded as we head deeper into the playoffs, but as long as the pitching remains stellar and the bats start to heat up even more as we go along, this promises to be a great October.

    I think CC proved why it was important to take Hamels out of Game 1 after 8 innings. At this point in the season, every inning you can save your pitcher is golden.

    9 more wins!!!

  18. Eb Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 am

    Outside of Vics Slam. The two Myers at bats were the most importnat plays of the game. He did a great job and wore down Sabbathia. Especially the 2nd at bat you could see CC really laboring.

    Last night might of been the best game I have ever been to. It was better then the clincher

  19. Don M Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 9:37 am

    Don M Says:
    October 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
    SHOT OF JACK.. for a Home Run…. GOOD CALL!!! never heard that one before but I like it.

    Him and Victorino are crucial in this game.. batting RH.. both can go yard. Vic has HR off of Johan Santana and Randy Johnson this year, two of the toughest Lefty pitchers in the game (Yes. randy johnson is still nasty… 96mph sliders coming at you are not easy to hit)

    I too am a smart one…

  20. Don M Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 9:43 am

    Last night was the best Phillies game i’ve ever been to, and its not really that close for me.. Section 112… it was AWESOME. Myers at-bats were great.. and before he got the walk I said to my dad that it doesn’t matter one bit if he gets on or not, just making CC throw that many pitches was great.

    I didn’t like seeing Utley and Howard back-to-back against the best LHP in baseball.. and neither of them had a clue at the plate last night. I really thought they would have the same lineup as game #1.. but Manuel knows more about his team than we do, and did a great job putting guys in the right spots last night!!

    Rally Towels are awesome (even when they obstruct your view..) they are just so cool… Victorino’s Grand Slam.. I thought I was dreaming.. I just stood there for like 10 seconds in awe until I started going nuts, hugging strangers, etc..

    Myers drives me crazy… after his last two starts I was under the belief that we had to try to trade him again.. but “when he’s ON” he is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball (how weird does that sound!!)

    More to come.. I don’t want to kill everyone with my thoughts in just one post…

    HOW ABOUT THOSE FIGHTIN PHILS!!!!

    PHILLIES vs. DODGERS.. Home Field Advantage could be HUGE

  21. Dennis Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:05 am

    Settle down Don M.,

    Love the energy but lets get this last win over the Brew Crew first, then we’ll worry about the Dodgers….

  22. Paul Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 am

    I know Coste usually catches Myers, but I really like how Ruiz and Myers worked last night. They had the Brewers really off balance.

    Well done PHILS! Now Mr. Moyer, nail the coffin shut!

  23. Don M Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:12 am

    haha, I didn’t mean that is in its definite Phillies vs. Dodgers… I should have said, IF its Phillies vs Dodgers.. Home Field.. could be huge because both teams swept when they were at home.

    No other stadium gets as loud as CBP was last night..

    I was thinking about Ruiz in the 1st inning, and how much that could have been effecting Myers and his confidence with pitch selection, and locations to attack the hitters.. a lot of that game plan comes directly form the pitching coach though, and with the outings we’ve seen so far from Hamels and Myers.. they are a pretty damn good 1-2 punch.. Moyer as your #3.. and if it gets to a game #4, we’ll be glad we have Blanton over Kendrick or whoever.. They wouldn’t pitch Happ in game #4 would they??? That would be something

  24. Don M Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:15 am

    Ha.. yo seriously though guys, my bad.. I didn’t mean that either series was over yet, I’ve been a huge fan of the “It ain’t over til it’s over” theory all my life, and we’ve seen teams come from 2-0 down before.. The Brewers this year remind me so much of the Phillies last postseason that its nuts.

    Shame that they gave up LaPorta and they’ll lose both Sabathia and Sheets in the offseason.. both of those guys have my respect for pitching on crazt-short rest, and through an arm-injury just for the sake of their teams

  25. Dennis Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 am

    I do however have the cofidence that Mr. Moyer will get the job done tomorrow night and he will indeed as Paul so perfectly put it “nail the coffin shut!”

  26. Chase Mutley Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 am

    I love how stoked everyone is here!

    My favorite aspect of the game last night was that it became very obvious that this team is playing to win — all hands on deck. The offense was slumping in Game 1 so Cole just mows the opposing offense down. Brett off to a shaky start in Game 2, Shane gives him something to work with. Chase and RyHo are pressing so we have Pete Happy come through for us. It’s great to see them playing as a TEAM.

    Brett’s performance at the plate last night will be legend in Philadelphia.

  27. Eb Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 am

    For how much crap we get as Philly Phans, it is cool to see how much passion and knowledge/strategy for the game we really have. Look know further then the Myers at bat, the whole crowd knew we needed to get CC’s pitch count high and the reactions was amazing.

    Don M… I am happy to see CC, SHeets, Laporta go. They still have Alvadis Escobar and Galardo, so they do not need any more help.

    In a four game set, I think i go HAPP, I have confindence in him. Also WALK MANNY EVERYTIME.

    Also someone tell Shane he owes bartender C.C. $20 Bucks, after ordering 4 SHOTS OF JACK

  28. Wilson Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 am

    Tell Jamie Moyer I have a broom in my closet that he can use

  29. Sct Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 10:57 am

    From up in the rarefied air of the 400 level (our backs against the chain-link), I’m here to tell you that CBP was pretty high-energy — not just in the second inning, but all game. Felt great.

    I was already feeling pretty good in the second inning before Myers came up. They had shown they could hit CC and were getting his count up, they had tied it with back-to-back doubles, Chooch had moved the runner, and the lineup was going to turn over for the third inning.

    Then Myers started taking balls and fouling off pitches. I have NEVER heard a crowd cheer foul balls like they were two-run doubles like that, and I have NEVER heard a crowd work so hard to get in a pitcher’s head. I’ve also never felt like a crowd had so significant an effect on the outcome of a game as last night.

    I am dying to know what Dubee said to Myers in the first. It’s like he went out to the mound and flipped a switch in Myers’ back. If you’d've told me (with the bases loaded, one out, and a run home in the first) that Myers was going to turn in seven innings of two-hit ball, I would’ve … well, I would’ve been very happy to hear it, but I wouldn’t have believed you.

    Great game! Let’s nail it down tomorrow!

  30. Geoff Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm

    I was really nicely surprised at Myers performance. He turned himself around again and pitched good enough to secure the win. Everybody in baseball was waiting for CC Sabathia to meltdown after his great run, it was almost synchromystic in the way it went down too. The pitcher gets a 9 pitch walk and then he walks the bases loaded. The best pitcher in baseball looked tired and lost at times (not against howard and burrell though) and had serious command issues. Im surprised they didnt take him out of the game immediately after the Grand Slam, which was totally awesome. On TV it looked like he got jammed in on his hands with the pitch but it sailed really deep into the first level. Thats great though, everyone was waiting for the meltdown and the way it went down was absolutely great. The best pitcher in baseball…CHASED AFTER FOUR INNINGS!

    Brad Lidge…MUCH MUCH cleaner save. I was very releived to see him go out there and blow away the side. Whew. Cubs lost, they look done too.

    I feel very comfortable sending Jamie Moyer out there on another clinching day one week after the last one. Very comfortable. This team looks really solid right now.

  31. Richie Allen Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    You couldnt ask for a better christmas present than the way Myers pitched last night after the 1st inning….
    I am pumped like almost everybody else on here…unbelievable…
    I almost feel sorry for the brewers(but not really) ,they remind me of the Phils last year.

  32. Gabriel Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    i wish we could always be up 2-0 in the playoffs…
    that seems to be the cure for negativity on these blogs hahah
    brett brett brett… i knew he had it in him, i had all the faith in the world in the headcase.
    i however did not know, that he was that saavy at the plate. what a night for him waggin that bat like he knew what he was doing… as soon i heard (again, no tv at work) the double play in the 1st i knew brett would be okay… i didn’t think he’d match king cole’s hits allowed but a win is a win is a win… keep em coming phils

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