Daily News | The drought is over: The Phillies clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2011
’ ticket back to the postseason would be punched after the final outcome of a game that was played more than 1,100 miles away.It took the Phillies nearly 11 years — 4,010 days, to be precise, but hey, who was counting? — to return to the playoffs. Aaron Nola has been around for most of it, more than any of his teammates. He played with Howard and Utley and Hamels and Ruiz. He pitched for teams that lost 99, 91, and 96 games.
Yet there was something so, well, unexpected about the Phillies’ wild-card trumph. Four months ago, they were 22-29. That’s when they fired manager Joe Girardi and elevated Rob Thomson. Since then, they are 65-44. “Aaron Nola, the last five years, has been the same guy every day,” Thomson said. “Nothing changes with him. No expression, nothing. He’s very consistent.”
The Phillies drafted Nola three years after they last appeared in the playoffs. They had no idea of the darkness ahead after 2011. The second golden era in franchise history didn’t age well. The Phillies slid to 81, 73, and 73 wins in 2012, 2013, and 2014, then bottomed out at 63-99 in 2015.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Phillies splash past Nationals, 8-1, in rain-shortened game; magic number falls to oneZack Wheeler tossed five scoreless innings. His next start would be Friday night in the Phillies' first playoff game in 11 years.
Read more »
Astros fans to have multiple viewing options for Tuesday's game vs. PhilliesAstros fans will get to choose between local and national broadcasts of Tuesday's game...
Read more »
One teen dead, another injured in Friday shooting at Tulsa high school homecoming football gameA gunman remains at large after a Friday night shooting at a Tulsa, Oklahoma, high school homecoming game that left one teenager dead and another injured, police said.
Read more »
Cigar Thoughts, Game 4: Seahawks beat Lions in wild game of flag football'Cigar Thoughts, Game 4: Seahawks beat Lions in wild game of flag football' JacsonBevens is back with an entertaining recap of the highest-scoring game in the NFL this year. The latest CigarThoughts are up!
Read more »
Auburn at Ole Miss game time, TV setAuburn fans wanting to enjoy tailgating at The Grove will have to get there early. The Tigers game on Oct 15 at Ole Miss will kick off at 11 am.
Read more »