PHILLIES NEWS

After consecutive blowout losses the Phils really needed a win today to turn things around. With young J.D Durbin on the mound, that seemed like it would be quite an ominous task for the Phils tonight, but they made it look easy. On the night every Phillies starter had at least one hit, and even Durbin collected the first 3 hits of his career. In all, the Phils clobbered the Dodgers for 15 runs on 26 hits. For a while, it seemed as if every other Dodger pitch wound up a Phils hit, as Chase Utley collected 3 hits and 3 RBIs, Ryan Howard homered twice, and knocked in 4 runs, Aaron Rowand collected 5 hits, including a solo homer, and pushed across 2 runs, Shane Victorino collected 5 hits, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored, Jimmy Rollins collected 3 hits and 2 runs scored, Pat Burrell, collected 2 hits, including a solo homer(the 200th of his career), and 1 RBI, and finally Wes Helms collected a hit and 2 RBIs. In fact, the only Phils in the lineup, aside from the pitcher, who failed to knock in a run were Jimmy Rollins and catcher Chris Coste, but even Coste had a hit and a run scored. As for the pitching, it was Durbin's night, as he went 6 innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits for his 1st career win in 3 starts. On another positive pitching note Tom "Flash" Gordon finally returned to action (he rejoined the team yesterday, but didn't get in the game) and pitched a scoreless 9th inning while allowing just one hit. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that he's locked and loaded and ready to be the Phils closer again (he'll have actually save a game first), but it's a start. So, the Phils are back over .500 again at 47-46, but remain in 3rd place, 5 games behind the Mets who also won tonight. Still, life is beautiful again.