PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils continued their playoff push today, as they finished off their series with the Braves. Rookie sensation Kyle Kendrick got the start today and as usual he delivered, allowing just 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 strong innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils used Braves errors to jump out to an early lead in the 1st inning. Jimmy Rollins leadoff with a single and shane Victorino bunted and reached base and Rollins scored on a throwing error by John Smoltz. Chase Utley then reached base and Victorino scored on a throwing error by Mark Texeira. Finally,Ryan Howard stepped up and crushed a 2 run homer, and just like that the Phils lead 4-0. Later in the 3rd inning Pat Burrell slammed a 2 run homer of his own to put the Phils up 6-0. By the time Atlanta finally got on the board against Kendrick, with 3 runs in the 6th, it was too late. Tom Gordon shut them down in the 7th, and J.C Romero did likewise in the 8th. Finally, Brett Myers came in to close it out in the 9th, and after allowing a leadoff homer to Jeff Francoeur, and one out single to Matt Diaz, he retired the side for a 6-4 Phils win. So the Phils improve to 87-72 overall, now tied with the Mets for first in the NL East, and still 1 game behind the Padres in the wildcard. Thus, life remains beautiful.