COUGH IT UP! (We did.)

Who needs first place anyway? Me, that's who. First off, it is common knowledge to all Phils fans that the New York Mets suck. So how do a team that sucks so bad take another series from us? Do we suck too? I know that I don't suck!

Crafty prima-donna Oliver Perez continued to baffle the Phillies, our big hitters coming up with zilch. Chase Utley and Ryan Howard went a combined 0-7, stranding five, and striking out an embarrasing six times. Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino, and Chris Coste each slapped mute singles and Burrell added another outfield assist to his stats, all of which resulted in no runs for Philadelphia. The sole run came off a Jayson Werth dinger in the seventh to tie it, and "Kid Eternity" Jamie Moyer pitched another beautiful seven innings of two hit, one run ball. Unfortunately, is was all for naught when "Hot-Head" J.C. Romero came into the eigth inning, only to start off with a single to Robinson Cancel, in for pitcher of record and Philly-favorite Aaron Heilman. "Goat-Boy" Reyes sacrificed him over, Endy Chavez lined out, and David "Pussy" Wright was intentionally walked to set up a Romero - Carlos Delgado match-up. The results say that Uncle Charlie blew it, when the formally formidable Delgado slammed a double to left field, scoring both men on bass.

What happened next? Mets' closer Billy "Biggest Asshole in Baseball" Wagner came on, getting two quick outs before allowing a single to Chris Coste. Jimmy Rollins comes in to bat for Romero. Interestingly, Rollins was a late scratch from the line-up, much to the NY boo-birds dismay, and back up dude Eric Bruntlett took his place at short stop. Bruntlett was the only Phil to wear his hittin' shoes today, going 3-4 with two doubles, but the impotence of the meat of Philly's order left him there every time. Anyway, Rollins v. Wagner, north v. south, sorta, grooviness v. square, the good guys only a home run away from a tie when Wagner threw one 96 mph fastball that J-Roll grounded to third, forcing out Ruiz, pinch-running for Coste, at second.

And the hated New York Mets take first place. This one hurt, for that reason and for giving Aaron Heilman (1-3) his first win of the season, and another save to the sickening Billy Wagner (26). Thank god the Philles (54-48) got the floundering Atlanta Braves (48-53) up next for three games back at CBP (I'll be there Friday night), while the Mets (55-47) host the considerable St. Louis Cardinals (57-46). Let's get it back boys.

Moyer Miffs Marlins

By the time we rolled into Claymont, Ryan Howard had smashed his league leading 29th home run, a solo shot in the second, and his 85th R.B.I. As the Big Man rounded the bases in Miami, the Main Man boogied down in the parking lot, transistor radio in hand, and by the time we got out of Between Books after purchasing this week's comics, your Philadelphia Phillies had added another run on a Geoff Jenkins R.B.I. double, scoring Pat "the Bat" Burrell who had also doubled. Jimmy Rollins led off the third with yet another double and eventually scored on a single by All-Star second basemen Chase Utley, his 70th R.B.I. of the season. By the time our delicious Checker Burgers were ready, Geoff Jenkins had socked another solo shot leading off the fourth to give the Phils a 4-0 lead over the Florida Marlins.
 
The only drama for starting pitcher Jamie Moyer, who improved to 9-6 this season and 10-0 lifetime versus Florida, came in the bottom of the fourth as we got back to Timmy's neighborhood. After giving up the first Marlin run by an R.B.I. single to noted Philly-Killer Jorge Cantu, who had two of the Marlins four hits, Moyer loaded the bases for Florida's own All-Star second basemen Dan Uggla. Moyer got Uggla to ground into a double play, driving in the second and final run the Fish would score tonight. The 45 year old Moyer pitched his trademark calm and skillful six innings otherwise, enduring rare Florida showers. Chad Durbin and perennial hot-head J.C. Romero combined for a scoreless eigth, and Brad "Lights Out" Lidge rebounded from his All-Star Game loss to get his 21st save of the season. The red-hot Ricky Nolasco is handed the loss to go to 10-5.
 
A good night for Jenkins couldn't have come at a better time. The Phillies came into their first game since the break in a tie for first with the hated New York Mets. Fortunately, the Mets lost 5-2 in Cinncinnati and Jenkins, who hasn't given Philly fans too much to cheer about since joining the club in the off-season, contributed two key R.B.I.s, putting the Phils (53-44) back atop the National League East.

Blue Rocks Beat Salem on Cegarra's Gem

Your Wilmington Blue Rocks continue to strive for mediocrity as they beat the Salem Avalanche in Salem's Memorial stadium Thursday night. 19 year old Venezuelan Ed Cegarra pitched beautifully, eight shut-out innings, matching his career best from earlier this season. Cegarra (3-4) bounced back from his previous horrendous three inning, three homer outing against the Lynchburg Hillcats last Saturday to dominate the Av's on their home turf, allowing only five hits and racking up five strike-outs. First basemen Brad Correll, assigned to the Rocks on July fourth, socked his second dinger for Wilmington in the first inning, sparking the eventual 7-2 victory. Correll went two for five and currently has an eight game hitting streak. Salem did score twice in the ninth off reliever Greg Holland, but it wasn't enough as the rocks beat up on the Avalanche's starting pitcher Sergio Severino (0-2) and his relief. The Rocks continue this crucial seven game road trip against Salem tonight, sending 'The Thunder from Down Under' Paul Mildron (0-2 5.40) to the mound before swinging into divisonal rival Lynchburg for four games, and then heading home to take on the Kinston Indians. The Blue Rocks are 12-14 since the all-star break, three games back of the Carolina League, Northern Divission Leading Potomac Nationals, and 47-49 for the season.