Stick a fork in those nightmares of 1964.

It’s not going to happen. There will be no repeat of the Phillies’
monumental collapse.

Pedro Feliz made sure of that when, with the game deadlocked 1-1 in the fifth and tension slowly enveloping Citizens Bank Park, he launched a pitch into the left-field seats with the bases loaded.

Suddenly, all you saw were white rally towels waving everywhere. And the vision of 1964 being dispelled once and for all.

The Braves helped the party along, losing 5-4 to the Marlins.

That means the Phils’ Magic Number is now 1. All they have to do is win one of their remaining five games to collect their third consecutive NL East crown. Should they lose tonight to the Astros, but the Braves stumble, the Phils back into the title.

Simply put, the Phils are headed to the post-season.

What remains interesting now is who will fill what role once they get there. Charlie Manuel still has to figure out his starting rotation, as well as his closer.

Last night, even though he had Brad Lidge warming up in the bullpen, he allowed Ryan Madson, who entered the game in the eighth after Jamie Moyer tweaked his groin, to come back out and pitch the ninth. Madson blew away the Astros with some 97 mph heat.

Complicating Manuel’s roster decisions is the fact that even if they clinch tonight, the Phils are still battling for best overall record in the National League. Right now they sit one game better than the Cardinals, but one and a half games behind the Dodgers.

Pedro Martinez goes to the hill tonight to try to seal the NL East for the Phils.

Hey, it worked last night. Vote for Pedro!