PHILLIES NEWS

The Phillies really needed to head into the all-star break on a high note with a win today and they did so convincingly against the lowly Pirates. Today's win also clinched a series win for the Phillies over the Pirates, the Phils first since early June. If that doesn't give the Phillies some momentum I don't know what will. For 4 innings today the Phillies matched wills with the Pirates, literally, both teams scored 2 runs in the 1st inning and 1 run in the 3rd inning and both were held scoreless in the 2nd and 4th innings. Then like the lightning the Phillies struck in the 5th and 6th innings, with 5 unanswered runs, 2 knocked in by Chris Coste, his second multi-RBI game in a row. The Phillies then went on to win going away 8-3 as the Phillies bullpen again held the Pirates scoreless, following 5 solid innings by Cole Hamels. As you can see, for the second day in a row the Phillies played a complete game and deserve this win. I don't know about you but I am very encouraged by the Phillies play of late. They are finally displaying some signs of consistency for the first time since they began their slump in June. Their starters are finally getting deep in games again and consequently their bullpen is comfortable again and are starting to once again play the lights out ball they have been playing for most of this season. Their starting lineup actually had 2 good games in a row for once. They scored 6 runs on Saturday and 8 runs today. If they can keep up that kind of production for the rest of the season they will be tough to beat. Now you are probably thinking, okay that all sounds good, but why are you so sure. Well, if you think about it as bad as things have been for the Phillies they can only get better. They have help coming to them in the 2nd half, as starting catcher Mike Lieberthal will return to the Phillies lineup , Randy Wolf will make his long awaited return to the Phillies rotation, and hey even Brett Myers, might try to comeback to Phillies. So, when you look at it there is no reason why the Phillies can't continue playing like they did in this series against the Pirates, they just have to believe that they can, I know I do. Well, happy trails everyone.