PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils began a key 10 game homestand, by opening a 3 game series with the L.A Dodgers. Kyle Kendrick took the mound for the Phils to oppose the Dodger's Brett Tomko. As usual Kendrick offered another solid performance. He started a little a rough, spotting the Dodgers a 3-0 lead on a double by Andre Ethier, and a single by Luis Gonalez in the 1st inning, and a solo homer Russel Martin in the 2nd inning. Still, Kendrick beared down after the 2nd inning and allowed just one more run(a solo homer by James Loney) in 6 and 2/3rds innings of work. Fortunately, for the Phils they were facing in the ,2-11 Tomko, the one guy who could blow a 3-0 lead all on his own. Carlos Ruiz doubled in a run, then scored on a sac fly to cut the lead to 3-2 in the 3rd inning. Then in the 4th, Aaron Rowand crushed a two run homer to put the Phils ahead 4-3. Finally, in the 5th, Kendrick singled and scored after Pat Burrell worked a bases loaded walked to push the Phils lead to 5-3. Of course, Loney's homer cut the lead to 5-4 in the 7th and chased Kendrick from the game, but together, J.C Romero, Tom "Flash" Gordon, and Brett Myers were too strong for the struggling Dodger's offense to handle and the Phils hung on to win 5-4. With the Padres losing today, the Phils move back into a tie for first in the wildcard race, but the Mets won today, so the Phils remain 5 games back in the NL East. Still, life is beautiful once again.