PHILLIES NEWS

Despite another stellar performance by Adam Eaton, the Phils lost a tough one today in the final game of their series with the Nationals. Eaton went 6 and 1/3rd innings, allowing just 2 runs on 8 hits(well actually, 4 runs, but two were scored after he left the game by runners he allowed on base). Meanwhile, the Phils built up an early lead on an RBI single by Chase Utley in the 1st inning, a 2 run homer by Ryan Howard in the 3rd inning, and a bases loaded single by Pat Burrell in the 5th inning. In all, they roughed up rookie starter John Lannan, for 5 runs on 6 hits, taking a 5-2 lead into the 7th inning. Unfortunately, the Nationals scored twice in that inning to cut the lead to 5-4. Then in the 8th, rookie reliever Mike Zagurski made a two out mistake, serving up a 3 run homer to the Nationals backup catcher ,Jesus Flores, and well, that was difference as it put the Nationals ahead 7-5. The Phils rallied in the 9th, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with only one out, but Chris Coste and Abraham Nunez both grounded out weakly and Phils got only one run out of it, falling 7-6. After the game the Phils got more bad news, as Chase Utley who was hit by a pitch in the 5th inning, revealed that he had broken his hand. He was placed on the 15 day DL and is out indefinitely, although he insists he'll be back this season. So the Phils drop to 52-49 and are now without their leader, which almost spells certain doom for their playoff hopes. However, the Mets and the Braves both lost today as well, so far now the Phils remain okay at 5 games back in 3rd place, but who knows how long that will last. Thus, life sucks once again.