Philadelphia Phillies

With two outs in the top of the 9th, Charlie Manuel emerged from the top step of the dugout.

The Phillies, sporting a 10-3 lead over the Houston Astros, stood poised to claim their third straight division title.

Scott Eyre, returning from the disabled list, had quickly recorded the first two outs, getting former Phillie Michael Bourne and Miguel Tejada.

But here comes Uncle Charlie, waving for the bullpen.

There goes the Philadelphia faithful, waving the white rally towels.

And out comes Brad Lidge to collect the final out.

The fans loved it.

After leaving last night's game against the Houston Astros with an injury, it has been revealed that Jamie Moyer will be out for the rest of the season.

The 46-year-old pitcher tore a groin after making a pitch last night. He will have surgery at some time next week.

He will be ready for spring training next season.

After losing his job in the starting rotation in August to Pedro Martinez, Moyer has been completely dominant out of the bullpen, used primarily as a long relief man.

During the 2009 season, Moyer had a 12-10 record with a 4.94 ERA.

PHILADELPHIA—This just in. Jamie Moyer's MRI results have come in and they don't show good news for the Phillies.

The MRI shows tears in three tendons—two in his groin and one in his lower abdomen.

He will not pitch again in 2009.

Recovery time is reportedly 10 months, but Moyer is expected to be ready for the start of Phillies' spring training in February.

On September 30, 2007, the Philadelphia Phillies began what has become one of their best three-year runs in franchise history. On that day, they defeated the Washington Nationals 6-1 to clinch the National League Eastern division crown.

Almost a year later, the Phils reclaimed their title as division champions by once again defeating the Nationals.

Moving to 2009, we see this same opportunity once again.

He sure doesn't look like Superman, but Ryan Madson sure is pitching like him.

With a fastball reaching 97 to 98 mph in the ninth inning, Madson pitched a two-inning save to preserve the Phillies 7-4 victory Tuesday over the Houston Astros.

Phillies rookie left-hander J.A. Happ improved to 12-4 with the win.

Coupled with the Florida Marlins' 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies' magic number dropped from three to one.

A victory tonight and the Phillies will capture their third-straight NL East crown.

As the Philadelphia Phillies inch closer to finishing off their third straight National League East title, playoff thoughts are not far behind.

If I am not mistaken, heading into Wednesday's game with the Nationals, the Phillies magic number is 13 games.  After the Phils finish the Nationals series, they travel to Atlanta and Florida.  Talk about taking care of business.

Think about last year's playoff rotation: Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer.

This year: Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton/J.A. Happ and Pedro Martinez.

For one night, you couldn't help yourself.

You couldn't help, be it whether you were at Citizens Bank Park last night or in front of the television, hearken back to about a decade ago when Pedro Martinez made things look so easy.

He may no longer be a Boston Red Sox, but he is a Philadelphia Phillie. And thus far, he has made General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr., one of the few executives with a contending team willing to take a chance on Martinez, look like a genius.

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While the rest of the town is obsessed with Brad Lidge-gate, the Phillies have a job at hand and it's manager Charlie Manuel's job to keep the troops ready for action.

The New York Mets come to town for a four-game series. What is at stake for the Phillies is getting closer to clinching the National League East pennant and keeping the Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves at arm's length.

For the Mets, it is a chance at redemption, if only for the weekend. The Mets, 62-78, lost three to the Marlins, who are five games behind the Phillies.