PHILLIES NEWS

A day after ace Cole Hamels was rocked by Cleveland, the Phils got even tonight with the new kid on the block Kyle Kendrick. In just his second Major league start Kendrick went 6 innings, and allowed just 3 runs on 5 hits to record his first win. Of course, with all the run support he got it would have been hard for him to lose. Ryan Howard alone, homered and knocked in 4 runs, in just his 3rd 3 hit game of the season so far. Chase Utley and Pat Burrell, also knocked in 2 runs each, with all four being 2 out RBIs. With all that support the Phils took a 7-3 lead into 8th, but the Indians wouldn't go away easily. They scored 2 quick runs off Ryan Madson in the 8th to cut the lead to 6-5 and suddenly it looked like the game on sunday all over again, you know the one where the Phils blew a 3-1 lead in the 7th, waisting a stellar start by Adam Eaton. Fortunately, in the top of 9th, Ryan Howard delivered a double to knock in his 4th and final run of the night, and Greg Dobbs smacked a pinch double to score Howard to put the Phils up for good 9-5. Despite allowing a run and 3 hits, Antonio Alfonseca managed to close it out in the 9th for a huge 9-6 win for the Phils. So, with the win coupled by yet another Mets loss the Phils moved to within 2 games of 1st in the NL East, and with yet another Braves loss they moved back to within .5 games of 2nd in the NL East. Thus, life is beautiful again.