phrustrated philly phan

The Phillies got a 5-0 lead and then hung on for a 6-5 victory. Not the Phils best game as they were outhit 16-9 but they came out on the winning end. The Cincinnati Reds won again tonight to keep the Phillies 2.5 games back. The Phillies got contributions up and down the lineup tonight. The Cubbies helped the Phils out in the 4th when a throwing error by Ronny Cedeno allowed both Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand score. Jimmy Rollins followed that up with a two-run homer. The following inning Chase Utley hit his 22nd home run of the year, a solo shot. Jon Lieber cruised threw six innings before running into trouble in the seventh. He was credited with 3 earned runs and Aaron Fultz was called in to get the final out. Abe Nunez drove in his second run of the game with a single that scored Chris Roberson pinch running for Pat Burrell. A scary moment happened in the eighth when a pop up was hit to short center. Rowand and Utley collided going for the ball. Utley remained in the game, but Rowand got the worst and left with an apparent sprained ankle. The ball fell in and bounced away allowing John Mabry to get a triple. Geoff Geary pitched around the lead off triple to keep the game 6-3 and that would turn out to be very important. Arthur Rhodes was called in to record his second save in two nights. He recorded it but not without some tense moments. With two outs, Rhodes surrendered a two runs homer to Jacque Jones. The Phillies held on for the win tonight even though they were outhit. Tonight's game was one that a good team wins but a bad team loses. Without their closer and Ryan Howard's 0-5 night, the Phils got the job done and kept pace with the Reds.

Tip of the Cap- Jon Lieber for going a solid 6 2/3 innings and only allowing 3 earned runs. He gave the Phillies a shot to win and the Phils capitalize. Lieber will be a key componet down the stretch and he is having a great August minus his first start and hopefully he can keep it up.

Wag of the Finger- Rowand and Utley for their collision. It is very important to stay healthy down the stretch. If Utley was lost this team could pack it in for the year and even losing Rowand could be a big blow. It would deplete an already bad bench.

Tomorrow's Game- Soudertown native, Jamie Moyer, makes his Phils debut against Ryan O'Malley. O'Malley threw 8 shutout innings on August 16 against the Houston Astros but did walk six. This could be a tough matchup for the Phillies because little is known about O'Malley. Moyer should give the Phillies a chance to win and hopefully their bats come through with some clucth hits. Game time is 8:05.

Note: We have our first team meeting tomorrow night at 9:30 so I will miss the end of the game and will not be home until well after 11:00. Lets Go Phillies.