A CITIZEN'S BLOG

Jon Lieber left last night’s 10-6 loss to the Cleveland Indians after straining his right ankle in the sixth inning. The injury, which is hopefully not that serious, is a real kick in the teeth for the Phillies. With Brett Myers injured and in the bullpen and Freddy Garcia almost certainly done for the season, the Phillies logjam in the starting rotation is starting to look perilously thin. The Phillies have already resorted to calling up Double-A hurler Kyle Kenderick from Reading. Who would they call up next? Matthew Maloney?

Thank goodness inter-league play is finished. While the Phillies did reasonably well against some tough A.L. Central competition … 6-6, largely thanks to a three game sweep of the Chicago White Sox … and thankfully not having to face Johan Santana and the Minnesota Twins … the Phillies are better off getting to feast on mediocre N.L. teams.

Here is the Phillies inter-league record from the last several seasons.

2007: 8-7
2006: 5-13
2005: 7-8
2004: 9-9

This is the first time since 2003, when the Phillies likewise posted a 8-7 record, that the Phillies have had a winning record in inter-league play. Something to cheer about.

Another thing to cheer about - despite all of the Phillies struggles, they are still above .500 and are still two games out of first place. The Mets, and this is something I'll expand a little on tomorrow, are poised for a fall.

Today the Phillies get a well-deserved break before squaring off with the St. Louis Cardinals. Jamie Moyer, Adam Eaton and finally Cole Hamels go for the Phillies against the Cardinals depleted pitching staff.

Tomorrow: the imminent collapse of the New York Mets, the Phillies road ahead, and predictions about the future.