PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils traveled to Cincinnati to begin a series with the Reds tonight. With Cole Hamels and Johny Cueto scheduled to be on the mound, the stage was set for a classic pitcher's duel. In the end it was not a classic duel, but a good pitching matchup nonetheless. Thankfully for the Phils, Hamels out dueled Cueto, allowing just 3 runs on 5 hits while striking out 7 in 6 strong innings. Meanwhile, Cueto lasted a inning longer than Hamels, but allowed 4 runs on 7 hits. So Hamels did just enough to get the game to the bullpen with the Phils ahead. As you might expect, although still not quite an automatic check in the win column, getting the game to the bullpen with a lead was adequate on this night to secure a 5th straight win for the Phils. It wasn't all about the pitching though. Ryan Howard got the Phils off to a resounding start crushing a solo homer in the top of the 2nd for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th Jay Bruce matched Howard with a solo shot of his own to knot it at 1. In the top of the 5th a double by Jimmy Rollins, a single by Chase Utley, and a sac fly by Raul Ibanez plated 3 runs for a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the 6th Jerry Hairston lined a solo shot into the seats and Brandon Philips tripled and scored to cut the lead to 4-3. From there Clay Condrey and the "the Bridge to Lidge" Ryan Madson kept the Phils ahead into the 9th. Brad Lidge then had another 9th inning adventure, allowing 2 on with one out before regrouping to retire the side and close out the 4-3 Phils win. Since the Mets blew another lead tonight against the Dodgers, the Phils at 21-16 overall, now lead the NL East by a full game. In other news the Phils finally pulled the plug, at least for now, on Chan Ho Park as the 5th starter in the rotation. Instead at this time Park will go back to the bullpen as the Phils long reliever, while J.A Happ assumes the 5th spot in the rotation for now. Park had been a picture of inconsistency thus far this season, terrible in his first few starts, than solid for a couple starts, only to come back and pitch terrible on Sunday. Happ on the other hand has consistently pitched well every time he has come out of the bullpen. Hopefully he will bring that consistency with him as the Phils 5th starter, because the Phils really need another reliable arm in the rotation, especially with Jamie Moyer and Joe Blanton each struggling thus far this season.