Die Another Day: Lohse and Rollins Spark Phils

With the result of the Mets' game still in the balance, the Figtin' Phils have done their part in staying in the hunt, and getting back on the winning track.

Once again, Jimmy Rollins started things off with a bang. Not since Lenny Dykstra has someone at the top of the Phillies' lineup meant so much to the success of this club.

Yesterday, Rollins led off with a homerun. Today, it was a triple. We'd score several more times in subsequent innings on a Chipper Jones miscue and again on a clutch pinch hit homerun by Shane Victorino.

"But the big story tonight..." to borrow a line from Philly's own Jim Gardner, was the pitching prowess of Kyle Lohse. Lohse was nothing short of solid pitching 7 full and giving up only a 2-run homerun in the 4th. Since acquiring him several months ago, the Phils are 6-0 behind Lohse. I think he's pitched well enough to warrant a contract for next year. But we'll worry about that later.

7 innings, 6 hits, 5 Ks, 0 BB and 2 ER.

Today was as close to a must win as we've had this season. This was undoubtedly the most important game of the season and the Phils responded. Even the bullpen played well.

As I write this Nats have a 7-6 lead over the Mets in the 7th, meaning the Phils may wake up tomorrow down 1 game in the East. The Padres play later, but will definitely be feeling the pressure from the Phils' victory.

Great match-up tomorrow: Smoltz, 9-4, 2.96 vs. Kyle Kendrick, 9-4, 3.83.

Stay tuned Phils fans, there is more to come.

Die another Day.