PHILLIES NEWS

Today marked the Phils final game before the all-star break, and it was a big one, considering the Phils needed it to get back to the .500 mark for the break. For the first time in the series the Phils actually fell behind early 3-0, but the like Rockies in the last 2 games they rallied back. In the 3rd Chase Utley and Ryan Howard delivered consecutive 2 out RBI singles to cut the lead to 3-2. After Colorado put the lead back up to 4-2 in the bottom of the inning, Pat Burrell hit a solo homer and Jimmy Rollins delivered yet another 2 out RBI single to tie it at 4-4 in the 4th. In the 6th Jimmy Rollins delivered another 2 out RBI single to put the Phils up 5-4. Of course at that point another rain delay ensued, and things got a bit wild. The wind picked up incredibly as the rains came and the grounds crew couldn't get the tarp down, as it blew over on top of some of them. Suddenly, the Phillies players, 17 of them, and coaches came running out onto the field to help out, and they did so, freeing the guys stuck under the tarp and weighting it down with beanbags until it was finally in place. When the delay ended the Phils were rewarded for their efforts with a little good karma, if you will. In the 7th Shane Victorino hit a 2 run homer to put the Phils up 7-4. Then in the 8th Ryan Howard put the Phils up for good, 8-4, with a sac fly. Ryan Madson then came in and retired the Rockies in the 8th and 9th innings for the win. So at the break the Phils are 44-44, 4.5 games behind the Mets for first and 2.5 games behind the Braves for 2nd. Life is thus beautiful again.