PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils continued their series with the Astros tonight. Joe Blanton got the start and was decent allowing 3 runs on 6 hits while striking out 5 in 6 innings. Roy Oswalt was just that much better for Houston allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 8 in 6 and 1/3rd innings. Thus despite back to back RBI singles in the 7th by Ben Francisco and Carlos Ruiz, the Phils trailed 3-2 through 7 innings. Then in the top of the 8th Ryan Howard tripled in one run and scored on a single by Pedro Feliz to put the Phils ahead 4-3. Thanks to Brett Myers impressively getting through the bottom of the 8th in his long awaited return, the Phils took that lead into the 9th. There Brad Lidge came in for the save and after a one quick out he suddenly lost control of his slider, loading the bases. Next he got ex Phillie Micheal Bourn to ground into a fielder's choice for the 2nd out, but there was no way they were going to double up Bourn, leaving the bases loaded for Kaz Matsui. After a long at bat and the with the count full, Matsui lined a Lidge fastball just past Jimmy Rollins for a game winning RBI single, giving Lidge his 10th blown save of the season and the Stros a 4-3 win. This may be it now for Brad Lidge. There is still time for him to get his act together but I am not sure the Phils can afford to wait any longer. I am not sure Myers is quite ready to replace him yet but he may have to be soon. It was a great night for Miguel Cairo who filled in for Chase Utley at the 2nd base, and racked up 2 hits and an RBI and made a great tag of Lance Berkman as he attempted to steal 2nd in the 8th inning. So anyway the Phils drop to 77-56 overall and now lead the NL East by just 6.5 games.