PHILLIES NEWS

Well, I don't know about you but I don't think I have ever seen the Phillies get beat as badly as they did today (Monday). It's kind of hard to fathom just exactly why they lost so bad. Perhaps, they were distracted by all the incessant trade talking that's been going on lately, or maybe the Marlins were just mad as hell, and not willing to be the victims of another route, whatever the reason the Phillies just had no answer for Marlins today. The Phillies pitchers, especially starter Jon Lieber who gave up 9 runs on 13 hits in only 4 and 1/3rd innings of work, could not stop the Marlins offense, and the Phillies offense could not seem to get started against Marlin's starter Josh Johnson, who gave up just 1 run on 5 hits, in 7 innings of work, and recorded 8 strikeouts. When all was said and done the Marlins had pounded out 15 runs on 17 hits, and the Phillies had been dealt a humiliating 15-2 loss. I'd give you some blow by blow analysis, but it's just too ugly to talk about. If you didn't see this game, then just be glad you didn't. However, despite the lopsided numbers on the scorecard, Phils fans did have one thing to cheer about, as Chase Utley extended his hitting streak to 32 games. In other news the Phillies finished their trade deadline selling today, by trading reliever Rheal Cormier to the reds for right-handed pitcher Justin Germano, another minor league prospect, although he did just make his major league debut on Saturday, so the Phillies might actually be able to use him at some point this season. Now as a result of this trade the Phillies were left with a hole on their roster, and they filled it by recalling pitcher Brian Sanchez from AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Sanchez did actually pitch an inning for the Phillies today, and well let's just say he didn't do so well, but hey the Phillies were all ready down by 8 runs at the time, so it really didn't matter. Well, happy trails everyone.