Phils lead Wild Card!

[redsrbetter]

Phils nip Nats to take Wild Card lead
Philly takes first game of twin bill, moves half-game ahead of Houston
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- Manager Charlie Manuel has said many times over the past six weeks that he likes his team's chances when he turns the ball over to Ryan Madson, Ugueth Urbina and Billy Wagner.
He's said the same thing about Vicente Padilla.

That formula has contributed to a 23-15 record over the past 36 games and led the Phillies to a 2-1 win over the Nationals in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader. Spurred by the inspired hurling of Padilla, Philadelphia took sole possession of first place in the National League Wild Card standings by a half-game over Houston.

That could change Thursday night, when Houston plays Milwaukee and Philadelphia and Washington go at it again.

Those small details were of little consequence for a team that may be peaking at the right time.

Padilla, too. The right-hander, who was nearly removed from the rotation, has a 1.89 ERA in his last eight starts.

"When he had problems, I kept thinking he's going to get better," said Manuel. "I kept thinking this was the game he was going to get on track."

That game turned out to be a July 6 start against the Pirates, in which he tossed six shutout innings, and he's been the team's best pitcher since. Despite electric stuff and low-scoring games, Padilla didn't get much run support.

"He needed the win today, and I'm glad he got it," Manuel said.

"He's been doing his job, and we haven't been scoring runs," said Kenny Lofton, who walked and scored a run. "The opportunity to score when he's pitched has been tough."

For the second straight start, Padilla found himself in a tough situation that earlier in the season would have merited concern from teammates, coaches and Manuel.

But Padilla got out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the second by only allowing one run. He also worked his way around giving up two singles to start the sixth.

Philadelphia again didn't score many runs for him, but Padilla and the 'pen made them hold up. The Phillies scored twice in the third off Tony Armas (7-6). Bobby Abreu accounted for all the scoring with his second two-run double in as many games. Jimmy Rollins singled and Lofton walked ahead of the double.

Armas was extremely wild, but he held the Phillies to two runs. Padilla (6-11) lasted six innings and allowed Washington's lone run.

As was the case on Wednesday, the trio of Madson, Urbina and Wagner sealed the win, with Wagner recording his 29th save.

But Padilla again was the real story, especially considering that he didn't feel too confident in his fastball, forcing him to rely more on his seldom-used offspeed pitches.

He used them effectively to retire Vinny Castilla and Nick Johnson, among others.

"He felt like he had to use his offspeed more, keep them more off balance, which he did," said catcher Mike Lieberthal. "He threw some changeups and some curveballs, probably more so than his last start in San Diego. And he got outs with it. He used soft stuff when he didn't feel comfortable with his fastball."

All this adds up to a pitcher brimming with confidence, a good sign for a team in the thick of a playoff race.

"It's good for him because it helps him have the same confidence, knowing he can have the same success mixing pitches and not just overpower guys with his fastball," said Lieberthal. "It's huge coming from where he came from. From a guy that was really struggling bad and didn't have much confidence ... Its great that he has his confidence going into the last month."

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[redsrbetter]

Phillies have to hope they can get the win tonight and the Astros to follow with a loss. Stros have Clemens on the mound though, so they have to really dig in for the win to hold the WC lead. Lets go Phils!

[awefullspellare]

Both teams from the Billy Wagner deal had great years. I'm surprised the Philllies have made a run to this point.