Phillies Top Moments of 2010 #19: The Dagger

As the year comes to a close it’s time to look back at some of the top moments from the Philadelphia Phillies 2010 season. While the team came short of their ultimate goal of winning a World Series championship, there were still several great memories from the past year. It’s time to look back on the top moments of 2010 leading up to the number one memory which will be unveiled on New Years Eve.

#19 The Dagger – September 22nd

H2O.  Halladay.  Hamels.  Oswalt.

The Phillies shuffled their rotation late in the season to ensure that their three aces would pitch in a critical series against the division rival Atlanta Braves.  After a summer filled with injuries and prolonged offensive slumps, Philadelphia had positioned itself to take control of the National League East heading into a 3-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia headed into the series on a 7-game winning streak and with a 3-game lead over the Braves for the division lead.  Cole Hamels was brilliant in game one allowing just one run over eight innings of work in a 3-1 victory.  Roy Halladay followed Hamels by allowing 3 runs over 7 innings in a 5-3 Phillies win on Tuesday night.

Roy Oswalt was brilliant against the Braves

But Roy Oswalt was arguably the best of the three aces in a dominant game three effort.  The former Houston Astros ace acquired at the trade deadline retired the first 11 batters he faced before allowing a double to Martin Prado.  Oswalt quickly rebounded retiring 10 of the final 11 hitters he faced.  He allowed just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 8 batters over 7 brilliant innings of work.

“It’s fun for me after not being in contention,” Oswalt said.  “This is what baseball is.”

However Oswalt left the game with a no decision as the combination of Tommy Hanson, Peter Moylan, and Craig Kimbrel held the Phillies offense at bay through 7 innings.

Jayson Werth scores the lone run of the night in a 1-0 Phillies win

After Ryan Madson pitched a perfect 8th inning, Jayson Werth worked a 2-out walk to bring Raul Ibanez to the plate.  Ibanez ripped a 2-0 fastball just fair to the left field corner and Werth flew around the bases.  After the ball got away from LF Nate McLouth, his cutoff throw was offline and Werth scored to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead.

Brad Lidge shut the door in the top of the 9th and the Phillies had completed their first 3-game sweep of the Braves at home since September 19th-21st, 2001.  It couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I dont think we necessarily had anything to prove, because we already believed we were the best team,” said Lidge.  “But at the same time, it’s nice to get out there and do it.”

With the series sweep, the Phillies moved to 6 games ahead of the Braves in the National League East and unofficially clinched their fourth straight divisional championship.  The Phillies also moved to 92-61 on the season tying the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees for the best record in baseball.

Brad Lidge reacts to the series sweep over the Braves

“We’ve been talking about winning 100 games and being the best team in baseball for years now,” Jayson Werth said.  “We pretty much have the same guys in here.  We’re a good team.  We want to be recognized.  We feel like everybody out there over the past few years.  We feel like we’re right there, if not better.”

The Phillies pitching was certainly right there, if not better in this game.  Oswalt, Madson, and Lidge combined to pitch a one hitter.  It was the 19th shutout for Phillies pitching during the season and Philadelphia’s staff proved its dominance against the Braves.

“We knew what we were getting into coming in here,” said Braves catcher Brian McCann.  “We knew who they were pitching.  We’ve all faced them before and they’ve all got great stuff.  They executed every pitch, and when they got themselves in trouble, they got out of it.  That’s what number one’s do, and all three of those guys are number one’s.”

Halladay.  Hamels.  Oswalt.  Three number one’s that helped clinch a fourth straight divisional title for the 2010 Philadelphia Phillies.