PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils continued their series with the Cardinals tonight. In battle of number 2s, Cole Hamels got the start against the Cards Adam Wainright. Up until now Wainright was having the better season but it was Cole who shined tonight, allowing just 1 run on 8 hits while striking out 8 over 8 brilliant scoreless innings. Unfortunately the Phils only scored one run in that span also, with Raul Ibanez tripling and scoring on a single by Carlos Ruiz in the bottom of the 7th. As for the Cardinals, their lone run with nobody out in the 9th, as Hamels, flustered by another idiot fan running on to the field, surrendered back to back doubles and the Phils 1-0 lead. Just like that his night was over

With the go ahead run on the second and nobody out, Charlie Manuel called Brad Lidge to keep the game tied and is first big situation of the season Lidge delivered the goods. He got Skip Schumaker to ground out, intentionally walked Colby Rasmus, struck out Brendan Ryan, and finally got Jon Jay to pop up for the last out of the inning. The Phils failed to score in the bottom of the inning so the game went into extra innings. There Jose Contreras continued his impressive thus far this season, retiring the side except Albert Pujols who cracked a meaningless double. Then in the bottom of the 10th Carlos Ruiz led off with a walkoff homer for the big 2-1 win. He really was the hero tonight, knocking in both of the Phils runs on the night, but so was Cole Hamels with his 8 strong and Brad Lidge with his 9th inning bailout. If they can keep it up for the rest of the season then Phils pitching will be just fine. Anyway for now the Phils move to 15-11 overall remain 1st in the NL East.