So much for the first half of the season.
Or, for that matter, for any questions as just which team is tops in the National League.
The Phillies dropped an exclamation point – along with 14 runs on 20 hits – on the Atlanta Braves in the last game before the annual All-Star break.
The win leaves the Phils with a 57-34 mark, three and a half games better than the Braves.
For the second straight start, Cole Hamels was the beneficiary of a big offensive outburst as he posted his 11th win.
Too bad the Phils didn’t use a few of those runs on Saturday, when Cliff Lee was spectacular, but the Phils fell 4-1 in 10 innings. Lee even provided all the offense, hitting a solo home run.
The Phils will now look to get healthy as they look ahead to the second half and the stretch run.
Both Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco are on the All-Star team, but neither will actually play.
Roy Oswalt is still getting injections on his balky back, but he’s expected to joint the team when they kick off the second half against the Mets in New York.
Joe Blanton is making a rehab start. Brad Lidge continues his rehab work. Maybe the dark spot in all this is word that Jose Contreras will get more tests on his ouchy elbow.
The Phils look like the class of the NL, but that’s not why this team was put together. They want to have success in October, and that challenge remains months away.
For now, Phils’ fans should just enjoy the ride.
Or, for that matter, for any questions as just which team is tops in the National League.
The Phillies dropped an exclamation point – along with 14 runs on 20 hits – on the Atlanta Braves in the last game before the annual All-Star break.
The win leaves the Phils with a 57-34 mark, three and a half games better than the Braves.
For the second straight start, Cole Hamels was the beneficiary of a big offensive outburst as he posted his 11th win.
Too bad the Phils didn’t use a few of those runs on Saturday, when Cliff Lee was spectacular, but the Phils fell 4-1 in 10 innings. Lee even provided all the offense, hitting a solo home run.
The Phils will now look to get healthy as they look ahead to the second half and the stretch run.
Both Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco are on the All-Star team, but neither will actually play.
Roy Oswalt is still getting injections on his balky back, but he’s expected to joint the team when they kick off the second half against the Mets in New York.
Joe Blanton is making a rehab start. Brad Lidge continues his rehab work. Maybe the dark spot in all this is word that Jose Contreras will get more tests on his ouchy elbow.
The Phils look like the class of the NL, but that’s not why this team was put together. They want to have success in October, and that challenge remains months away.
For now, Phils’ fans should just enjoy the ride.
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