PHILLIES NEWS

The good times keep on rolling for the Phils. Cole Hamels didn't have his best stuff today, but it was still good enough for 6 solid innings, while allowing just 4 runs on 8 hits. The Phils meanwhile had another day of potent offense. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard both hit solo homers in the first inning. In the second, Chase Utley doubled in a couple runs. In the 3rd Aaron Rowand jacked another solo homer. Still, going into the bottom of the 5th St Louis only trailed 5-4. However, from here on out it was all Phils, or should I say, it was all Pat Burrell. In the 5th Burrell doubled in 2 runs and then scored on consecutive sac flies. Then in the 6th inning Burrell hit a 2 out bases loaded single for 2 more runs and suddenly the Phils were up 10-4. Ryan Madson shut down the Cards in the 7th and 8th innings and Antonio Alfonseca closed them out in the 9th. So the Phils have now improved to 46-44, but both the Mets and Braves won today as well, so they remain in 3rd place 4 games behind the 1st place Mets. Still, life remains beautiful.