We finally have some seperation. The Dodgers have now slipped out of first place in the NL West so they sit atop the Wild Card standings. Just a game back of them sit the Phillies, who have a 2 1/2 game lead over the Giants. So with two weeks left, the Phillies are definitely in the upper tier as far as the Wild Card contenders.
Pat Burrell hit a grand slam in the first inning on Friday and it looked like the Phillies were going to cruise to a nice easy win over the Astros. Unfortunately, Roger Clemens was more like Roger Clemens the rest of the way and the Phillies didn’t score the rest of the game. The Astros then tagged Bret Myers in the third inning for three runs and it was a one run game for the most of the game. Tom Gordon got into trouble in the ninth, but he picked up his 30th save of the season in the 4-3 win.
David Dellucci homered yesterday for the Phillies and Abraham Nunez and Jimmy Rollins both drove in two runs in the 7-2 win. Cole Hamels had a very nice game. He struck out eleven and gave up two runs in 7 2/3 innings of work.
Ryan Howard continued his magical season and hit homerun number 57 today. Mike Lieberthal hit two homeruns and Jimmy Rollins hit one in the 6-4 win. Randy Wolf was solid and gave up three runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. He’s now 4-0 on the season. Gordon once again got into trouble but he pitched out of it and picked up his 31st save of the season.
Next up is three against the Cubs. It’s imperative that the Phillies take care of business against one of the basement dwellars in the National League.
