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Phils Clinch 2nd Straight NL East Title

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The Associated Press

Published: September 28, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - The Fightin' Phils are going back to the playoffs. Just getting there won't be good enough this time.
Jimmy Rollins made a sliding stop with the bases loaded to start a game-ending double play, and the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their second consecutive NL East title by holding off the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Saturday.

Rollins went to his knees to snare Ryan Zimmerman's sharp grounder toward the middle. He made an accurate flip to second base with his glove and rejoiced when Chase Utley's relay throw completed the double play.

A sellout crowd of 45,177 rocked Citizens Bank Park, waved rally towels and watched the Phillies earn back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 1980-81.
Brad Lidge barely escaped the ninth, getting help from Rollins at shortstop to earn his 41st save in 41 tries.Philadelphia will open the best-of-five division series at home Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers.
Jamie Moyer (16-7) allowed one run and six hits in six innings, matching Hall of Famer Phil Niekro for most wins by a pitcher 45 or older.Chad Durbin pitched a scoreless seventh and Ryan Madson allowed one run in the eighth, helped by an outstanding catch by Rollins.

With runners at second and third and no outs, Rollins ran a long way to make an over-the-shoulder catch on Lastings Milledge's sacrifice fly to shallow center that cut the Phillies' lead to 3-2. Center fielder Shane Victorino was shaken up after Rollins ran into him, but stayed in the game. He singled and scored an insurance run on Pedro Feliz's RBI double in the eighth.

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