BOX SCORE
ATLANTALife is good again for the Phillies. That eight-game losing streak feels like ancient history now, an annoying speed bump on the way to a possible franchise record for victories.
The Phils tied their all-time high for wins with a super-satisfying, 7-1, win over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night. (See game breakdown.) With one game to go in the regular season, the Phils have 101 wins. They can set the all-time team record with a win Wednesday night.
The milestones, or near milestones, didnt stop at 101.
The victory was Charlie Manuels 645th as Phillies manager, tying him with Gene Mauch for most in franchise history.
Manuel was asked if he got any personal satisfaction out of that.
Ill get more when I beat him, Manuel said of Mauch. I want sole possession.
MLB
Now that weve gotten all that numerical housekeeping out of the way, lets get on to the most important development of the night:
Struggling reliever Antonio Bastardo, a major contributor to the Phillies success over the first five months of the season, took a step forward as he had his first clean inning since Sept. 2, a span of seven outings.
As recently as Monday, Manuel said he was looking for someone to step up and claim the eighth inning. Who knows, maybe it will be Bastardo after all. The left-hander had allowed nine hits and nine runs over 3 23 innings in his previous seven appearances. His opponents batting average was .474 over that span. But in this game, he fired his fastballit reached 95 mphand slider for strikes in retiring the Braves in order in the eighth. Bastardo threw just 12 pitches. He could get another inning Wednesday night and a good one will further help his confidence, which not long ago appeared shattered.
He looked more aggressive, Manuel said of Bastardo. It made me feel like hes still got it. I know he does, but it was good to see. Its important for us to get him right.
Bastardo smiled easily after the game. His successful outing appeared to lift a weight from his shoulders.
I feel good about it, he said. I had better command of my fastball and better velocity. I was throwing my slider for strikes. It makes me feel good because I need to get ready for the playoffs.
Bastardo seemed to have an improved tempo on the mound.
I tried to work quick, dont think too much, he said. Let the ball go.
There were other positive developments for the Phillies in the penultimate game of the season.
Jimmy Rollins continued to come alive at the top of the order with three hits, including a homer, and Chase Utley put a major charge in a Derek Lowe pitch, hitting it for a long home run in the first inning. It was just the third homer that Utley had hit since July 29. Utley has not consistently driven the ball like he used tohence his move to the No. 2 spot in the batting orderbut if he can put something together over the next few weeks, this team will really benefit in the postseason.
Moribund a week ago, the Phils offense has produced 20 runs in the last three games, all wins.
Manuel detests the concept, but maybe this is a flip-the-switch team.
I think were playing with a better mind-set and our focus is better, Manuel said. Theyre more into it. Were playing the Braves and were getting ready for the postseason.
Roy Oswalt served notice that hes ready for the postseason. He pitched six shutout innings for his ninth win. His fastball hit 95 mph on the radar gun.
My arm strength is back and my breaking pitch is working well, said Oswalt, who missed about two months with a bad back. I knew it would take a little bit of time, but I feel good heading into the playoffs.
From this point forward, this is what you play for. This is the fun part.
Each of the Phillies Big 4 startersRoy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Oswalthas made his final regular-season start. In those starts, the foursome pitched a combined 25 innings and allowed just three earned runs for a 1.08 ERA.
Suddenly, it looks like this club is peaking at the right time.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.