PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils finished their series with the Yankees this afternoon. Cole Hamels got the start and out dueled Yankee ace C.C Sabathia, allowing just 2 runs on 8 hits in 6 strong innings of work, while Sabathia allowed 3 runs on 9 hits in 8 innings. Thus, it came down to Brad Lidge in the 9th once again and again he blew the save, but this time it didn't cost the Phils the game. That was thanks in large part to Carlos Ruiz who had the game of his life, racking up 3 hits, an RBI, a stolen base, and 2 putouts of runners trying to steal 2nd. In the top of the 3rd Ruiz collected his first hit and scored on a double by Jimmy Rollins who then scored on a singly by "the Flyin Hawaiian" Shane Victorino, for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning Johny Damon doubled in a run to cut it to 2-1. In the top of the 6th Victorino singled and scored on a double by Raul Ibanez. In the bottom of the inning Mark Teixeira slugged a solo homer to cut it to 3-2. It stayed that way until Brad Lidge allowed back to back singles to leadoff the bottom of the 9th, allowing Melky Cabrera to single in the tying run and send the game into extras. From there Clay Condrey toughed out two scoreless innings in the 10th and 11th innings and then Ruiz struck again in the 11th. With 2 out and Chase Utley on second, Ruiz ripped a double just inside the line to score Utley for a 4-3 lead. As mentioned Clay Condrey struck out the side in the bottom of the inning and the Phils had the 4-3 win and series. Okay so Lidge blew another save, but at least this time he kept the game tied and that is progress in my book. Also it is great to see Ruiz hitting like this, not just today but the entire series. It is quite a luxury to get 3 hits a night from the guy batting 8th in the lineup, and if that continues then no one will be able to slow down this lineup for the rest of the season. Anyway so with the win today the Phils move to 24-18 overall and back to 1.5 games up in the NL East.