GAME THREAD: NL: WASHINGTON (72-87) at PHILADELPHIA (86-72)

Moyer pitches Phillies to first NL East title since 1993

<h3>PHILADELPHIA 6, WASHINGTON 1</h3>By Vince DiGregorio
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- A 44-year-old Philadelphia-area nativehelped the Phillies clinch their first division title in 14 years.A collapse by the New York Mets didn't hurt.


Jamie Moyer tossed 5 1/3 effective innings and Ryan Howardhomered and drove in three runs as the Phillies defeated theWashington Nationals, 6-1, in the regular season finale.

The victory, coupled with the New York Mets' 8-1 loss to theFlorida Marlins that became final in the ninth-inning here, gavethe Phillies their first National League East Division titlesince the NL pennant-winning season in 1993.


Jimmy Rollins continued his MVP-caliber season with two runs anda triple - his 20th of the season - for Philadelphia, whichcelebrated around the pitcher's mound after Brett Myers struckout Wily Mo Pena looking for the final out. Myers tossed hisglove skyward and players, coaches and manager Charlie Manuelwere all soon gathered around the mound area.


"I tried to compose myself when the fans were cheering in the(top) of the ninth at the Mets' score," Myers said afterward ina champagne-soaked clubhouse.


Rollins didn't take the bait when asked by a reporter if thePhillies were the team to beat in the playoffs after saying theywere the team to beat during spring training.


"You all have to stay tuned for that," said Rollins, smiling."Anything could happen. We're not done yet.


"I prayed about this a lot. I didn't want to have to play in acity and never win (a championship). I've always been a winnergrowing up."


Howard said that he would gladly relinquish his MVP title toRollins.


"Jimmy was the catalyst," Howard said. "He's been the oneconstant on this team. He's meant so much to this team. Hestepped up in the leadership role."


As far back as seven games on September 12, the Phillies (89-73)won 13 of their last 17 while the Mets (88-74) dropped 12 oftheir last 17.


"It felt so good (after the final out) just to be able to make(the playoffs) with everything that's gone on this year," Howardsaid. "People doubted us, counted us out. Now, we're here.We're gonna celebrate right now."


The turning point Sunday came in the sixth inning withPhiladelphia clinging to a 3-1 lead. Moyer left the game withrunners on first and second and one out for Tom Gordon, who gotAustin Kearns to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Phillies then tacked on two runs in their half of the framewhen Tadahito Iguchi hit a pinch-hit sacrifice fly and Rollinshit his RBI triple to make it, 5-1.


Moyer (14-12), from the Philadelphia suburb of Souderton,allowed only one run - unearned - on five hits with no walks andsix strikeouts.


"For it to happen here in Philadelphia is phenomenal," Moyersaid. "To have the opportunity to get into the playoffs again isgreat. It just shows what this team is about.


"I just take pride in just being able to wear a uniform. At theage of 44, I feel good. I try not to take it for granted. Itwas exciting for me. I really felt rejuvenated when I came overhere last year."


Moyer recalled skipping school to attend the Phillies lone worldchampionship parade in 1980.


"It's amazing how life comes full circle," Moyer said. "Iremember 1980 like it was yesterday. That Phillies team wasincredible. I can't believe so much time has flown by sincethen. To still be playing at my age and playing at a high levelis something I can't really describe."


Howard added his 47th home run, a solo shot reaching the seconddeck, in the seventh inning. It was the fourth consecutive gamein which Howard has homered.


"Just trying to finish off the season in good fashion," saidHoward, who finished with three hits. "It was a big team efforttoday. I just tried to play my part."


Before the first pitch was even thrown, the sellout crowd of44,865 was stoked to a fever pitch as Florida's seven-run firstinning was posted on the scoreboard.


"We had to stay focused on our game," Howard said. "You couldn'task for a better atmosphere. The fans were obviously watching(the Mets) score. Every time the Marlins scored, they let usknow."


Washington had a scoring opportunity in the first when RonnieBelliard doubled with one out, but Moyer retired the next twobatters to end the threat.


Shane Victorino gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead with a sacrificefly in the bottom of the first, but Rollins ended upmanufacturing the run. Rollins led off with a single, stolesecond and one out later, stole third before scoring.

Washington starter Jason Bergmann got himself into trouble inthe third inning. After Carlos Ruiz led off with a double andMoyer struck out, the righthander walked Rollins on four pitchesand hit Victorino with a pitch to load the bases.


Bergmann got Chase Utley to pop out, but Howard lined a two-runsingle to right to make it a 3-0 game.


"I was kind of pulling off the ball a little bit and I justtried to stay back a little bit more," Howard said. "I was luckyenough to get something where I could get a little hook on it."

Bergmann (6-6) left the game after the third inning, allowingthree runs on three hits with a walk, two strikeouts and a hitbatter.


The Nationals got on the board in the fourth with an unearnedrun. Belliard reached on Greg Dobbs' throwing error to startthe frame and came around to score on a single by Austin Kearnstwo outs later.


"I told the guys before the game (that) this is what you playfor," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "This is what you aimfor, to play in this type of situation."

 

Moyer pitches Phillies to first NL East title since 1993

<h3>PHILADELPHIA 6, WASHINGTON 1</h3>By Vince DiGregorio
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- A 44-year-old Philadelphia-area nativehelped the Phillies clinch their first division title in 14 years.A collapse by the New York Mets didn't hurt.


Jamie Moyer tossed 5 1/3 effective innings and Ryan Howardhomered and drove in three runs as the Phillies defeated theWashington Nationals, 6-1, in the regular season finale.

The victory, coupled with the New York Mets' 8-1 loss to theFlorida Marlins that became final in the ninth-inning here, gavethe Phillies their first National League East Division titlesince the NL pennant-winning season in 1993.


Jimmy Rollins continued his MVP-caliber season with two runs anda triple - his 20th of the season - for Philadelphia, whichcelebrated around the pitcher's mound after Brett Myers struckout Wily Mo Pena looking for the final out. Myers tossed hisglove skyward and players, coaches and manager Charlie Manuelwere all soon gathered around the mound area.


"I tried to compose myself when the fans were cheering in the(top) of the ninth at the Mets' score," Myers said afterward ina champagne-soaked clubhouse.


Rollins didn't take the bait when asked by a reporter if thePhillies were the team to beat in the playoffs after saying theywere the team to beat during spring training.


"You all have to stay tuned for that," said Rollins, smiling."Anything could happen. We're not done yet.


"I prayed about this a lot. I didn't want to have to play in acity and never win (a championship). I've always been a winnergrowing up."


Howard said that he would gladly relinquish his MVP title toRollins.


"Jimmy was the catalyst," Howard said. "He's been the oneconstant on this team. He's meant so much to this team. Hestepped up in the leadership role."


As far back as seven games on September 12, the Phillies (89-73)won 13 of their last 17 while the Mets (88-74) dropped 12 oftheir last 17.


"It felt so good (after the final out) just to be able to make(the playoffs) with everything that's gone on this year," Howardsaid. "People doubted us, counted us out. Now, we're here.We're gonna celebrate right now."


The turning point Sunday came in the sixth inning withPhiladelphia clinging to a 3-1 lead. Moyer left the game withrunners on first and second and one out for Tom Gordon, who gotAustin Kearns to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Phillies then tacked on two runs in their half of the framewhen Tadahito Iguchi hit a pinch-hit sacrifice fly and Rollinshit his RBI triple to make it, 5-1.


Moyer (14-12), from the Philadelphia suburb of Souderton,allowed only one run - unearned - on five hits with no walks andsix strikeouts.


"For it to happen here in Philadelphia is phenomenal," Moyersaid. "To have the opportunity to get into the playoffs again isgreat. It just shows what this team is about.


"I just take pride in just being able to wear a uniform. At theage of 44, I feel good. I try not to take it for granted. Itwas exciting for me. I really felt rejuvenated when I came overhere last year."


Moyer recalled skipping school to attend the Phillies lone worldchampionship parade in 1980.


"It's amazing how life comes full circle," Moyer said. "Iremember 1980 like it was yesterday. That Phillies team wasincredible. I can't believe so much time has flown by sincethen. To still be playing at my age and playing at a high levelis something I can't really describe."


Howard added his 47th home run, a solo shot reaching the seconddeck, in the seventh inning. It was the fourth consecutive gamein which Howard has homered.


"Just trying to finish off the season in good fashion," saidHoward, who finished with three hits. "It was a big team efforttoday. I just tried to play my part."


Before the first pitch was even thrown, the sellout crowd of44,865 was stoked to a fever pitch as Florida's seven-run firstinning was posted on the scoreboard.


"We had to stay focused on our game," Howard said. "You couldn'task for a better atmosphere. The fans were obviously watching(the Mets) score. Every time the Marlins scored, they let usknow."


Washington had a scoring opportunity in the first when RonnieBelliard doubled with one out, but Moyer retired the next twobatters to end the threat.


Shane Victorino gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead with a sacrificefly in the bottom of the first, but Rollins ended upmanufacturing the run. Rollins led off with a single, stolesecond and one out later, stole third before scoring.

Washington starter Jason Bergmann got himself into trouble inthe third inning. After Carlos Ruiz led off with a double andMoyer struck out, the righthander walked Rollins on four pitchesand hit Victorino with a pitch to load the bases.


Bergmann got Chase Utley to pop out, but Howard lined a two-runsingle to right to make it a 3-0 game.


"I was kind of pulling off the ball a little bit and I justtried to stay back a little bit more," Howard said. "I was luckyenough to get something where I could get a little hook on it."

Bergmann (6-6) left the game after the third inning, allowingthree runs on three hits with a walk, two strikeouts and a hitbatter.


The Nationals got on the board in the fourth with an unearnedrun. Belliard reached on Greg Dobbs' throwing error to startthe frame and came around to score on a single by Kearnstwo outs later.


"I told the guys before the game (that) this is what you playfor," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "This is what you aimfor, to play in this type of situation."