PHILLIES NEWS

Coming off a night in which they were the victims of a 4-1 loss and a near no-hitter, things only figured to get worse for the Phils today, going up against the Marlin's ace Dontrelle Willis. However instead of folding against Willis the Phillies avenged last night's near no-hitter in a big way today(Saturday), punishing Willis for 8 runs on 5 hits . It all started in the 2nd inning with a solo homer by Pat Burrell, back in the lineup for the 1st time in a few days. The Marlins actually managed to tie the game in the top of the 3rd inning on a sac fly by Dan Uggla, but from then on it was all Phillies. In the bottom of 3rd, led by Chase Utley's streak extending(that's 29 now) 2 RBI double and Ryan Howard's 3 run homer, the Phils scored 7 runs and chased Willis from the game after only 2 and 1/3rd innings of work. All ready ahead 9-1 after just 3 innings, you might think the Phils offense would have shut it down for the night right then and there, but they didn't and kept it going with homers in the 4th inning by Chase Utley, and in the 6th inning by Aaron Rowand. Only when Chris Resop came into game in relief to start the 7 inning, did they finally stop scoring. Meanwhile, as the Phils offense was lighting up the Marlin's pitchers, starter Cole Hamels was dazzling the Marlins hitters going 7 and 2/3rds solid innings, giving up just 3 runs on 5 hits, and recording 7 strikeouts on the night. When all was said and done the Phillies had thoroughly pummeled the Marlins with 12 runs and 11 hits in a 12-3 victory. The Lone dark spot on the night for the Phillies came in the 8th inning, when Hamels, a batter or 2 from leaving the game, was hit on the left leg by scorching ground ball, and then limped off the field to end his night. Fortunately for the Phillies, all later x-rays came up negative, and showed nothing but a leg contusion, so hopefully Hamels won't miss a beat. Well, happy trails everyone.