PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils didn't so much win tonight's game as much as they survived it. Thanks to a 3 run homer by Aaron Rowand in the 3rd inning, and a solo homer by Tadahito Iguchi in the 5th inning the Phil built up an early 4-0 lead through the 5th inning. That Lead then stood up for the rest of the game, as Cole Hamels tossed 8 brilliant innings, allowing just one run on 3 hits, while striking out 8. A 1-2-3 9th inning from Brett Myers then ended it in a 4-1 Phils victory. Unfortunately, the win came at the expense of Shane Victorino and Micheal Bourn who both left the game early with leg injuries, forcing Gregg Dobbs into emergency duty in right field. Now Dobbs could wind up starting tomorrow, but it would be better if one of the two could find a way to be available for tomorrow's game. Anyway, with the win the Phils improve to 56-49, a season best 7 games over .500. Also they gained a 1/2 game on the idle Mets and Diamondbacks, to move to within 3 games of first place in the NL East and within 1 game of first in the wild card race. Thus, life remains beautiful, and yet a bit painful as well.