PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils finished off their 10 game homestand today and they are now in pretty good shape. Adam Eaton got the start today and delivered what Jamie Moyer couldn't yesterday. He pitched 6 strong, scoreless innings, allowing just 4 hits. He left early only because he spent too much time running the bases in the bottom of the 6th. At any rate the Phils bats backed him up competently as Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell both went yard, and Rowand and Greg Dobbs both had RBI singles, staking the Phils to a 5-0 lead through 6 innings. Thanks to a nightmare 8th inning pitched by Geoff Geary, in which he allowed 3 homers, by Alexis Rios, Matt Stairs, and Vernon Well, that lead almost evaporated. Fortunately Brett Myers again came into the game early, finishing off the 8th and closing it out in the 9th for a 5-3 Phils win, and another series win. As it stands now the Phils are back at .500 with a 22-22 record, and trail the Braves by 4 games for 2nd in NL East, and the Mets by 6.5 games for 1st in the NL East, far better shape than they were in after their 10 game road trip. Also Ryan Howard is expected to return to the Phils as soon as next weekend when they head to Atlanta for a 3 game series. So life is beautiful again.