DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- The movie tells you it's not just a baseball field in the middle of an Iowa cornfield -- it's a place where dreams come true.
It's where "Shoeless" Joe Jackson got a chance to play baseball again. It's where "Moonlight" Graham finally got that elusive plate appearance against a big league pitcher that he'd waited for his whole life. It's where Kevin Costner's character, Ray Kinsella, played catch (had a catch?) with his late dad.
MLB at Field of Dreams, presented by John Deere
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But the Phillies' dream was never going to be realized on an August night in Iowa. Their dream, as it's been for a few years now, is all about October.
Still, on this particular night, the Phillies -- playing in the third rendition of the MLB at Field of Dreams Game presented by John Deere -- took a much-needed important step in that direction.
The Phillies capped off a day full of incredible scenes with a 7-1 rout of the Twins at the Field of Dreams. Kyle Schwarber led the charge offensively with his second multihomer game in less than a week, but the most encouraging sign was another solid outing by Aaron Nola.
Not only did the veteran right-hander show no ill-effects from the right knee contusion that forced him from his last outing, but Nola continues to look more and more like his old self. He tied a season high with nine strikeouts while allowing just one run over five innings.
Nola has a 2.91 ERA over his past four starts, and he's allowed three runs or fewer in 12 of his past 15.
That could be a pivotal development for a Phillies team that woke up Thursday morning to find itself sitting outside of the 12-team postseason field. It was the first time the Phillies began the day not in postseason position since the morning of June 4.
Following Thursday's game, they're a half-game ahead of the D-backs for the final NL Wild Card spot. It's going to be a race to the finish over the final 39 games, but perhaps this victory in the middle of a cornfield helps get the Phillies back on track.
They better hope so if they want to realize that dream come October.