Fin: Giants 3, Phillies 2

The Phillies' fantastic season is over. For the first time in three years, it didn't end with them owning the National League Pennant.

On a night when the Phillies easily could have plated somewhere around 8 runs, they could only score two -- both in the first inning off of a characteristically wild Jonathan Sanchez. 

The Giants, for their part, answered with two runs in the third with some help from Miss BABIP (a notorious slut).

The Phillies had scoring opportunities all game, but were unable to get the timely hit they needed off of the Giants' parade of relievers. And of course, after frustrating the Giants' offense just the same, the rubber band finally snapped when Juan Uribe hit a two out opposite field home run off of Ryan Madson. Yes, true to the theme of the series, the Phillies were done in by one of the Giants' many mediocre hitters. 

In case anyone wonders why it is we keep harping on the "the playoffs are a crapshoot" thing, here's why: Phillies 20, Giants 19. The Phillies lost a series in which they outscored their opponent. If anything screams "strange things can happen in small samples," that's it. Despite ending in six games, this was a ridiculously close and hard fought (if somewhat sloppy) series that was swayed by a few key plays.

With that in mind, I implore my fellow Phillies fans to not let this ultimately disappointing ending spoil what was a truly extraordinary season. Although they could only manage to win five of nine playoff games, they won 97 of 162 in the regular season to finish with the best record in baseball. We should never forget that. Ever.

Congratulations to the Giants, their fans, and the wonderful folks at McCovey Chronicles on the victory and best of luck in the World Series. I, for one, will be torn when you face off against Cliff Lee in game one, but other than that, I'll be pulling for you. Most Rangers fans also root for the Cowboys, after all.

And, of course, thanks to you, the loyal readers and commenters of The Good Phight for your constant support and for making this a great place to discuss and enjoy Phillies baseball.