Phillies take Game 1 versus Braves

It was key to this whole series. They needed this win. And they got it. Cole Hamels pitched a flawless game, except for the first inning when Atlanta scored all 4 of their runs. After that only 2 batters he faced made it on base - one on a walk and another on Wes Helms' fielding error. The Phillies have taken game 1 of the crucial 3 game set. Tomorrow Adam Eaton faces Lance Cormier. Earlier I declared that the Phils would take games 1 & 3 but lose 2. We'll find out tomorrow night. Elsewhere, the Marlins got to Billy Wagner in the 9th tonight and scored 2 runs to pull ahead of the Mets. They hung on and, as a result, 1st through 3rd in the NL East is separated by a mere 3.5 games. And if the Padres - currently tied with the Reds after 9 - lose, the Phillies are tied for the wild card lead!