PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils opened a weekend series in the New York tonight as Roy Halladay looked to continue his winning ways against the Mets. He wasn't as sharp as usual but he was good enough, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits while striking out 5 in a solid 7 and 2/3rd's innings. Meanwhile the Phils offense continued its tear and Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard continued to be the leading men. In the 2nd Ruiz slapped an RBI single and Wilson Valdez hit into the rare run scoring double play to put the Phils up 2-0. After Roy uncharacteristically coughed up the lead in the 3rd, the Phils came right back in the 4th. Ryan Howard slammed a solo shot, Halladay himself lined a 2 run single with the bases loaded and Shane Victorino followed Halladay with another RBI single for a 6-3 lead.

Later in the 7th, Chase Utley pulled a solo homer, and Howard doubled and scored as Wilson Valdez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to push the lead to 8-3. Halladay did allow the Mets to tack on one more run in the home half of the 8th ,but it was too little too late. After Roy Halladay left with 2 out in the 8th, Chad Durbin and combined with Ryan Madson to finish off New York and 8-4 win. Once again the Braves won as well so Halladay's 18th win of the season simply keep the Phils 1 game up in the NL East.