For the third straight year, the Philadelphia Phillies have won the NL East. They clinched the division on Wednesday with a 10-3 win over the Houston Astros. After the game, the Phillies celebrated with a little help from adult beverages.
However, manager Charlie Manuel remain subdued. The manager of the reigning World Series champions has bigger goals in mind.
“I’ll celebrate,” said Manuel, “when we get to the big one.”
Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Pedro Feliz all had two hits and Raul Ibanez hit his 34th home run of the season and finish the contest with three RBIs.
The news wasn’t all good …read more

Raul Ibanez, who has arguably been the hottest player in all of Major League Baseball to begin the 2009 campaign, has been played on the 15-day disabled list by the Philadelphia Phillies. Ibanez has a strained groin that has bothered him for a while.
On the season, Ibanez is hitting .312 with 22 homers, 59 RBIs and 51 runs. At 37, he’s on pace to have the best season of his big league career.
Ibanez could even miss more than the 15-day minimum. According to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., there’s a chance the Phillies opt to keep him out until …read more