PHILLIES NEWS

After an easy win last night, the Phils looked to continue their winning ways against the struggling Cards. With the red hot Adam Eaton on the mound, who'd won 4 of his last 5 starts, and gone 6 innings or more in 7 of his last 8, you had to feel like the Phils could take another from the Cards. Unfortunately Eaton picked the wrong time to have an off day. The Phils got off to another quick start as Ryan Howard singled in a run in 1st for a 1-0 lead. Eaton gave lead the right back as Scott Spiezio scored on a fielders choice, following to singles, for a 1-1 tie. However, Eaton still appeared to be on the cruise control that had been carrying him through his few starts, as he retired the Cards in order in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but in the 4th he came undone. He quickly registered two outs in the inning, but in between he the made the fatal mistake of walking Albert Pujols, thus allowing Scott Rolen hit a ground rule double with 2 out in the inning, and Juan Encarnacion to follow up Rolen with a 3 run homer that put St. Louis up 4-1. Still, were well within striking distance, cutting the lead to 4-2, on an RBI single by Jimmy Rollins in the 5th. Sadly Eaton made another mistake in 6th inning as he again put Pujols on base, this time with an HBP(hit by pitch). This of course led to another homer, this time a 2 run shot by Chris Duncan that put the Cards up for good 6-2, and ended Eaton's night. The Phils came back again in the 7th with an RBI single by Chase Utley to cut the lead to 6-3, but alas it was nothing more than a futile response, as Cards put up 2 more runs of reliever Jose Mesa, on a RBI single by Aaron Miles, and yet another Mesa wild pitch, which allowed Miles to score. Jason Isringhausen then nailed it down in 9th for an 8-3 Cards win, leaving the Phils to ponder what went wrong. Fortunately, the Braves lost today as well, so the Phils remain in second place, but are now 3 games behind the Mets who won today. As if the Phils didn't feel bad enough after losing today, they got more bad news after the game. After taking an MRI, it was discovered, has in fact ruptured a tendon in the bottom of his foot, rather than straining his ankle as originally believed. He is now on the DL indefinitely, with a very slim chance of returning to the Phils in late September. While that could help them come October, you know they actually made the playoffs, it does nothing for them now. So, the Phils are now left with just 3 of their original 5 starters(Eaton, Hamels, and Moyer) and two spots to fill in their rotation. For now of course, Kyle Kendrick will fill one of those spots, but it's any one's guess who will the other, although it is definite that whoever it is will come from the Phils farm system. Thus, life sucks once again.