PHILLIES NEWS

Sometimes, even when you win you lose, and there is as much bad news to talk about as there is good news. So is the case for the Phillies tonight. Things started well, for the Phils as they scored 4 runs in the 4th inning, capped off by Jimmy Rollins' 2 run homer, and took an early 4-0 lead. Chase Utley kept the good times rollin with a solo homer in the 5th inning for a 5-0 lead. Despite giving up a hit in every inning he pitched. Jon Lieber kept it that way for 6 innings, but in the 7th he was not able to get out of trouble and allowed 3 runs to score. Still, the PHils remained ahead 5-3 and only needed 6 more outs to get the win, so there was no reason to panic, yet. However, in the 8th inning things took a turn for the worse for the Phils, and not because Cubs scored runs. John Mabry led off the inning with a shallow fly ball to center, and both Chase Utley and Aaron Rowand raced after it. Both called for it, but Utley got to it 1st and tried to wave Rowand off, but he didn't see it in time. Just as the ball landed in Utley's glove, Rowand collided with Utley, going end over end, and knocking the glove and the ball out of Utley's hand. Fortunately, Utley was not injured on the play, but Rowand wound up with at least a sprained ankle and had to be helped off the field. Although, Mabry reached 3rd on the play he never scored as reliever Geoff Geary struck out the side following the collision. Now, ultimately the Phillies did manage to hang on for a 6-5 win, but wasn't what everyone was talking about after the game. All the post game focus fell on the health of Rowand, which pending x-rays is a sprained ankle, but it could be broken, and if it is it could be a devastating blow for Phillies. At any rate, the Phils won tonight so I am still happy, but I would be happier if Rowand didn't get hurt. Speaking of getting hurt, closer Tom Gordon was placed on the 15 day DL today due too a strained shoulder. Over the last couple of weeks he had been sidelined with soreness in his throwing arm, and apparently the Phillies just weren't confident enougth in his health to let him get back on the field to soon. Thus for the next 2 weeks Arthur Rhodes will be the Phillies closer, hopefully he will be able to hold down the fort until Gordon comes back, because the Phils are in big trouble if he can't. Anyway the Reds also won tonight so the Phillies remain 2.5 games back. Well, happy trails everyone.