PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils took the field this afternoon looking to complete the series win over the Padres. They got off to another quick start with 5 runs in the first 2 innings. In the 1st, Shane Victorino singled to lead off, stole 2nd, and scored on back to back fielder's choices. In the 2nd, Placido Polanco and Ryan Howard each slapped 2 out 2 run singles to produce the Phils 2nd 4 run inning in as many nights. That's not bad for a team whose lineup is supposedly struggling mightily. Unfortunately Joe Blanton couldn't hold the Phils early lead and by the 5th San Diego had rallied to tie it at 5. Meanwhile the Phils squandered all their opportunities to score after the 2nd inning, leaving a total of 15 men on base.

So after Blanton exited following the 5th, all the pressure in the world shifted onto the bullpen to keep the game tied until the Phils could come up with another run. For 4 innings they did just that, with Chad Durbin, J.C Romero, Jose Contreras, and Chad Durbin combining to do the deed. After the Phils blew a golden opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the 9th, stranding the winning run at 3rd, Danys Baez came in to pitch the 10th. He was as lucky as aforementioned allowing a 2 out run on an infield single that was just deep enough to short that Wilson Valdez couldn't do anything with it. The Phils then had another golden opportunity in the bottom of the 10th to rally back and perhaps win it, but Polanco was thrown out trying to go to 3rd on a single by Chase Utley and then with runners on the corners and 2 out, Jayson Werth struck out to end the Phils day. So they didn't get the sweep but they did win series and with 5+ runs for the 2nd game in a row they seem to be coming out of there slump. Things can only get better from here.