PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils continued their road trip by beginning a 3 game series in Pittsburgh with the Pirates tonight. From the beginning it was a slugfest, with the Phils blitzing the Pirates pitchers for 11 runs on 16 hits, punctuated by an Aaron Rowand 3 run homer in the 5th, followed by a Pat Burrell two run homer in the 6th inning. Jimmy Rollins also had a big night with 3 hits, 3 runs scored, and an RBI. Likewise for Tad Iguchi with 2 hits, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBIs, and Chris Coste with 1 run scored, 3 hits, and 2 RBIs. Meanwhile J.D Durbin, pitching in place of injured Adam Eaton(that's right another injured pitcher), gave the Phils 6 solid innings while allowing just 3 runs on 4 hits and striking out 3. Unfortunately, at that point with the Phils comfortably ahead 9 -3, little used relievers Clay Condrey, Jose Mesa, and Mike Zagurski(yes he's back to fill Eaton's roster spot), came in to close it out, and well, they didn't. In all Pittsburgh racked up 5 runs on 6 hits off the Phils bullpen, but a further 2 runs for the Phils in the top of 9th, were just enough to allow them to hang on for an 11-8 victory. So the Phils improved to 65-56, but with the Mets winning tonight as well, the Phils remain 3 games back in the NL East. However, the Padres lost tonight, so the Phils move into a tie with San Diego for the wild card. Thus life remains beautiful.