Roy Halladay wanted to ensure that he would be getting to pitch in his first postseason.
The Phillies ace -- acquired in an off-season trade -- pitched a complete game, two-hit shutout to clinch the Phillies fourth-straight National League East crown.
The Nationals just didn’t put up much of a fight Monday night while losing 8-0.
It took Doc just 97 pitches to dispatch the Nats. The Cy Young Award front-runner struck out Danny Espinosa -- Doc's sixth K of the night -- to close it out.
“It was fun, but it's only going to get funner,” a forward-looking Halladay said. “Honestly, it didn't matter who finished it as long as we got it done.”
In an amazing side note Doc -- just like opening day in Washington -- was matched with Nats lefty John Lannan. The Nationals "ace" couldn't match Halladay -- Lannan only lasted 5 2/3 innings while giving up seven hits, one walk and four runs.
The Phightins offensive star was Jayson Werth who went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBI.
Sports
In partnership with NBC Sports Philadelphia
The win also clinched the best record in the NL for the 94-win Phillies. They will host Game 1 of any playoff series including the World Series if they make it that far.
“I've watched it too much from the side,” Halladay said, noting that he had seen such clinching parties on TV only, “so just glad to be a part of it.”
And to make sure he wouldn’t miss any of it, the Phils waited for Halladay and other postseason virgins Mike Sweeney, Wilson Valdez and Brian Schneider to pop the corks on the champagne first.
The Phillies popped the cork on the champagne and lit up victory cigars Monday night in the locker room, but don't expect the celebration to last too long. The business of trying to win their second World Series crown in three season starts when the playoffs begin next Wednesday.
Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBCPhiladelphia.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our sports newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)
