PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils traveled out to San Diego tonight to begin a series with the Padres. Joe Blanton got the start and delivered another solid outing allowing just 3 runs on 6 hits in 7 strong innings of work. Meanwhile, the Phils collected 5 runs on 2 hits, just enough run support to boost Blanton to the win. In the bottom of the 2nd Jerry Hairston singled and scored on a fielder's choice for a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd back to back singles by "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino and Chase Utley, produced 2 runs for a 2-1 lead. In the top of the 5th Chase Utley golfed out a solo homer down the line and Ryan Howard made it back to back homers, crushing a solo homer to dead center field, for a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the 6th the Padres answered with back to back homers of their own, by Adrian Gonzalez and Haurston, cutting the lead to 4-3. In the top of the 8th Greg Dobbs slapped a pinch double and scored on a double by Victorino for a 5-3 lead. From there Scott Eyre retired the Padres in the 8th inning and Brad Lidge came in to get the save in the 9th to close out the 5-3 Phils win. So overall it was just another solid, "get the job done" night for the Phils which leaves me nothing else to talk about regarding the game. There also isn't any other news to talk about either. All I can say is that it has been impressive the way the Phils have been playing lately. Anyway so the Phils move to 29-20 overall with the win and now reside 1.5 games clear in the NL East.