Somewhere around the second inning at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies learned that the Cardinals had lost to the Brewers, thus assuring Philadelphia home-field advantage for at least the NLDS round of the playoffs. Charlie Manuel took the opportunity to sit some regulars, particularly starting pitcher Cole Hamels. Not that Hamels was particularly sharp while the game looked like it might mean something, allowing three runs on three hits in three innings of work.
The bullpen did the job, particularly encouraging was a 1-2-3 ninth inning for Brad Lidge, with one strikeout. Antonio Bastardo and Brett Myers each threw a scoreless inning, and Tyler Walker threw two scoreless. Only Ryan Madson allowed a run.
The Phillies offense was generated by home runs from Ryan Howard in the second, his 45th, and Jayson Werth, his 36th.
With the loss, the Phillies are locked in to the #2 seed in the playoffs, and will host the NL Wild Card team (either Los Angeles or Colorado) starting next Wednesday.
Tomorrow is the regular season finale, and the game is completely meaningless. Cut your losses, don't risk injury, etc. Expect to see lots of kids and scrubs on the field.