So did Joe Torre panic or what? Yanking D Lowe after just 74 pitches was understandable; nobody can definitely say he would have made it through the sixth pitching on just three days’ rest.

And then … well … we’re not sure what happened.

Torre burned through four pitchers in two innings, leaving him with one bridge to his closer, clinging to a 5-3 lead in the 8th. That bridge, Cory Wade, pitched two innings the previous night. Not surprisingly, he served up a two-run homer to Sunday’s instigator, Shane Victorino. Enter Broxton, who now had to get four outs a night after getting six. It wasn’t quite the Mariano Rivera-John Wettleland 8th-9th combo that Torre had in 1996.

Broxton left one hanging for Matt Stairs to jack into the right field stands – his 1st postseason homer in 19 seasons - and the Phillies stormed ahead, 7-5. Ballgame. Now leading the series 3-1, the Phillies have their best pitcher, Cole Hamels, going tonight.

We’re realists. So is it too early to start the Manny sweepstakes? What will Boras demand for his 36-year-old client, four or five years? After what Manny’s done this postseason – 11-for-22, three homers, 11 RBI, in seven games – what GMs would still be willing to overpay for an aging slugger who has been playing for a contract? Mets? Angels? Dodgers?

Take the Stairs (The Good Phight)
Philllies continue to climb the stairs to Fall Classic (Beer Leaguer)
Flight of Stairs carries Philadelphia (LA Daily News)