PHILLIES NEWS

After two disconcerting losses to start the season the Phils took the field against the Braves one last time this afternoon looking to avert a sweep. Before the game they received their world series rings at last, pure silver bling with a large Phillies P on the front to boot, and for a moment the joy that enveloped the city just a few months ago, surrounded the bank one last time. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to inspire the Phils all that much early on, as Joe Blanton was tagged for 7 runs on 9 hits in just 4 innings of work. It was only the beginning of yet another wild day in Philly, but it didn't feel like it at first. Brian Mcann slammed a 2 run homer in the top of the 1st. Raul Ibanez followed with a 2 run shot of his own in the bottom of the 2nd to forge a tie. In the top of the 3rd, Mcann and Jeff Franceour each slapped RBI singles and Matt Diaz doubled in a couple of runs as Atlanta quickly retook the lead 7-2. In the bottom of the 3rd "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino tripled and scored to cut it 7-3. In the top of the 5th Eric Shafer sent another 2 run shot to the seats for a 9-3 lead. In the top of the 7th, things went from bad to worse as Chad Durbin walked in a run for a seemingly insurmountable 10-3 Braves lead. Then in the bottom of the 7th, the impossible happened as the Braves bullpen simply came unglued issuing an unbelievable 4 bases loaded walks. Coupled with RBI singles, by Victorino and Pedro Feliz, and a Ryan Howard ground out which scored another run, the Phils were able to put up 8 runs in the inning and suddenly they were ahead 11-10. In the bottom of the 8th, Ibanez doubled and scored on a sac fly by Eric Bruntlett for a 12-10 lead. Finally in the top of the 9th, after serving up a solo homer to Matt Diaz, Brad Lidge got his first save of the season and remained perfect as a Phil, for the 12-11 Phils win. So the Phils go to 1-2 overall and vacate the NL East cellar to accomodate the winless and hapless Washington Nationals.