PHILLIES NEWS

After getting blown out in their last 2 games, the last thing the Phils wanted to see, was the Rockies jumping out to yet another early lead, but that's exactly what happened. J.D Durbin got the start, and lasted all of one inning, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, and for that matter 3 walks. Fortunately, just when it appeared things couldn't possibly get any worse, the Phils found a way to rally back. A passed ball, a single by Aaron Rowand, and a double by Wes Helms helped the Phils put 4 runs on the board in the bottom of the 1st, for a 4-3 lead. Chase Utley crushed a 2 run homer, as the Phils scored 4 more in the 4th inning. Then they scratched out 3 in the 5th, on a single, hit by pitch, and a sac fly. Meanwhile, the Phils bullpen combined for 8 innings, while allowing just 1 run on 2 hits. Thus, after tacking on one more run in the 7th, the Phils won easily 12-4, to improve to 77-69, now just 6.5 games behind the Mets in the NL East and 1.5 games behind the Padres in the wildcard. So life is beautiful once again.