PHILLIES NEWS

Coming into tonight's game against the Reds the Phils had played 14 games on the season, and had yet to win back to back games even once ,in those 14 games. Tonight, however, they had a rare opportunity to do just that, get their first back to back win of the season, and for a while it looked like they would. Although the Phils could only manage to scratch out one run one the night, John Lieber, in his first start of the season in place of Brett Myers(now in the bullpen), made it stand up tossing 5 and 2/3rd's scoreless innings. Then with 2 out and 1 on in the 6th, Lieber was yanked in favor of Geoff Geary, and Matt Smith, who each faced a single batter, and failed to get them out, loading the bases. Fortunately, Antonio Alfonseca then came in the game and bailed them out, forcing a ground out to end the inning. Alfonseca, then quickly retired the side in the 7th inning. In the 8th innings Brett Myers, now in bullpen as the Phils set up man, fanned two Reds, and quickly retired the side again. Then in the 9th Flash Gordon came in to finish off the shutout, and well it didn't quite work out. After 2 quick outs, Gordon fell behnd Scott Hatteberg 3-1, and served up fast ball right down the middle, to avoid walking him, and Hatteberg promptly deposited it in the seats to tie at 1 through 9 innings. Then in the 10th with Flash forced to pitch a second inning, since most of the bullpen was used up back in the 6th, he quickly got himself in a jam, loading the bases with one out. Of course, Gordon couldn't get out of it, allowing Brandon Phillips to slap a game winning single into left field. I guess I should be surprised that the Phils couldn't hold on and win this one, but sadly I am not. At this point, the Phils desperately need something to bring their lineup back to life, because right now it's not getting the job done. Also they should really make Brett Myers their closer and not their set up man, because he just has better stuff than Fash right now and they simply can't afford to have Flash in there at the end of games if he' s always going to be so shaky. Anyway, just in case you were wondering, the final score was Reds 2, Phils 1, which is about as crushing as it gets as the Phils are now just 4-11.