Game Recap

They trailed the Atlanta Braves by as many as seven games after the All-Star break. They had an extremely mediocre record of 48-46 on July 21.

Their hitting was terrible, their pitchers were struggling, and they couldn't stay healthy.

Despite three consecutive National League Eastern Division titles, two World Series appearances, and a world championship, the Phillies appeared to be done.

Think again.

Sunday afternoon's game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox may have had no bearing on the playoffs, but it was certainly historic in nature.

Ivan Nova had a tough time at it in the Bronx tonight as the Red Sox lit him up for four runs which was more than enough for Jon Lester who shut the Yankees out over seven innings in an eventual 7-3 Yankee loss.

Here are some highlights:

After Minnesota's blundering 10-1 loss to the Tigers and the New York Yankees' 10-8  loss to the Boston Red Sox, the Philadelphia Phillies sit alone with the MLB's  best record.

Randy Wells should be happy tonight. 

By beating the San Francisco Giants Wednesday night, following his win last week in St. Louis, it is the first time since April that he won two consecutive games.  He has been trying hard to turn his unfortunate season around but it took him until the end of the year to do so.

The right-hander (8-13) outdueled the hot Giants starter, Jonathan Sanchez in the Cubs’ 2-0 victory to tie the series at one game apiece in the three-game set.

In the past couple weeks, baseball has begun to see its annual class of 20-game winners emerge. First was CC Sabathia, who will be going for win number 21 on Thursday. Second was Roy Halladay, who won his 20th game yesterday. Now, Jimenez is looking to win his 20th game.

The Atlanta Braves got on the board early last night, but a two-run fifth inning for the Philadelphia Phillies sunk the Braves, with the Braves losing 3-1.

The first head-to-head, "for all the marbles" meeting between these two teams, came in 1915 when the surprising, Philadelphia Phillies, jumped from sixth to first in one year to lead the race for the National League Pennant.

That year, Philadelphia produced the NL's best offense, in-part to career years from outfielder, Gavvy Cravath and first baseman Fred Luderus.

Is it better to be lucky or good?

In Alex Rodriguez's case, last night he was a little bit of both.