PHILLIES NEWS

After dropping 2 in a row in Milwaukee the Phils needed a win today to salvage at least a split of the series with the Brewers. They got the win the hard way. Joe Blanton got the start, but he wasn't quite as sharp as usual and the umpire didn't give him a lot of the strikes he normally gets each game. Still, disagreeable strikezone not withstanding, Blanton managed to tough out 5 and 2/3rd innings, while allowing 5 runs on 7 hits. Meanwhile, the Phils exploded early with 6 runs through 5 innings, on a solo homer by Jimmy Rollins, and an RBI double by Ryan Howard in the 1st inning, a 2 run double by "the Flyin Hawaiian", Shane Victorino in the 2nd inning, and a 2 run single by Pedro Feliz in the 5th inning. They actually had a 6-1 lead heading into the 6th inning, before Blanton nearly gave it all back. Fortunately, Charlie pulled him just in time, as Clay Condrey closed out the inning. Chad Durbin got through the 7th inning, and put away the 1st 2 outs in the 8th inning, before giving way to Ryan Madson for the 4 out save. After getting the last out in the 8th and 1st out in the 9th without issue, Madson served up a double to Prince Fielder, putting the tying run in scoring position and suddenly it looked like Milwaukee would break the Phil's hearts all over again. Fortunately, Madson had another ideas. He got Felipe Lopez to ground out and then struck out Mike Cameron on a called 3rd strike. So at last someone closed out a game for the Phils, Hallelujah! Now does this mean Madson is the guy from here on out. I guess only time will tell but this was a pretty good audition. While the Phils did score 6 runs in the game, they also left 11 men on base, including some in scoring position. They'll have to clear that up if they want to close out the division in the next few days. Anyway so the Phils move to 90-65 overall, their next 2nd straight 90 win season for the 1st time since 1978 and just the 2nd time ever, and the magic number drops to 3.