=== Philadelphia Phillies Team Report - June 16 === (My Sportsbook) - If the Phillies are to get back in the race in the NL East, it has to start this week as they host the first-place Atlanta Braves in a three-game series, beginning Tuesday night. Philadelphia is 10 games behind the Braves in the division and comes into the series opener with losses in three of its last four games. The Phillies did end a three-game slide Saturday night with a 12-2 triumph in Cincinnati, but Sunday's game was rained out. The Phillies led 1-0 on an RBI single by David Bell in the first inning and had a runner at third with two outs in the second when the rains came and play was halted. The game was called after a delay of 1 hour, 10 minutes. Brett Myers is slated to take the mound for the Phillies Tuesday night. The righthander suffered his sixth loss of the season Wednesday night in Anaheim, when he allowed eight hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings. Myers, who has lost his last two starts, is 0-1 in two career appearances against the Braves. He last pitched against Atlanta September 25th last year, and lost the final game of his rookie season, 7-1. Jose Mesa has 103 saves, which is tied with Steve Bedrosian for most ever in Phillies history. The Phillies are 19-15 at home and have won two straight at the Vet. |
