PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils traveled down to Florida tonight to begin a series with the Marlins, which if they win, could help them effectively put their NL East lead out of reach. Today, to make up for yet another game that got rained out earlier this season, the Phils and Fish engaged in a doubleheader, and not just any doubleheader, but the rare back to back doubleheader. That's right the 2 teams played the 2 games literally about 20 minutes apart from each other. In the first game Joe Blanton was dominating, striking out 9 and allowing just 2 hits in 7 shutout innings. Meanwhile, a 2 run single by Jayson Werth in the 5th inning pushed the Phils ahead 4-0. Then in the 8th inning the Phils put it out of reach with a solo homer by Raul Ibanez, a sac fly by Jimmy Rollins, a wild pitch, and a 2 run single by Ryan Howard pushing the lead to 9-0. Florida gamely cut the lead to 9-3 in the bottom of the inning before Clay Condrey closed it out in the 9th inning. In the 2nd game Anibal Sanchez turned the tables on the Phils striking out 7 and allowing just 2 hits in 8 scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Jamie Moyer posted 7 strong innings for the Phils allowing just 3 runs on 9 hits, while striking out 5. Unfortunately, the Phils could not put together a rally in the 9th, as Leo Nunez retired them in order to clinch a split of the doubleheader and Moyer's first loss ever in Miami. It's too bad they didn't win the 2nd game of the doubleheader because then they would really be in the driver seat right now, but ultimately it was a good night for the Phils. They did what they had to do. Sanchez was just too dominant and they were a little tired I think in that 2nd game. I am impressed with how well Moyer has pitched since the Phils moved him to the bullpen. Is there anything this 46 year old can't do. On a more negative note it was revealed today in an MRI that Brett Myers has a strained shoulder and is going to end up back on the DL for a week or so. He should be ready to pitch by the time the playoffs roll around, but losing another reliever to injury was the last thing the Phils needed right now. Hopefully his absence won't hurt them too much down the stretch. At any rate the Phils move to 88-62 overall now, still 7.5 games up in the NL East, and their magic number drops to 5 with that win in the first game.