Splat!!

From the "That's gotta hurt" department comes news that this collision will cost the Phillies the services of centerfielder Aaron Rowand for at least five weeks due to a broken ankle. I haven't commented much on the Phils this year, simply because it would have been the same posts about underachieving that I wrote umpteen times already. However, since trading Bobby Abreu, the Phightins are playing solid, hard-nosed baseball and have somehow managed to climb back to .500 for the first time since June 19 -- all while slowly but surely making their way up the standings in the wildcard race. Their record currently stands at 62-62, and they are 2.5 games in back of Cincinnati for the wildcard (and a woeful 13.5 behind the Mets for the division lead). They continue the struggle tonight in Chicago with new acquisition -- and Philadelphia-area native -- Jamie Moyer taking the mound. I have to say, while I'm not giddy, I am optimistic about their chances. As I said, the Phils are playing a different brand of baseball now, and there are almost no games one goes into thinking they can't win. The loss of Rowand will hurt, as does putting All-Star closer Tom Gordon on the DL. GM Pat Gillick will need to make some moves to acquire a bat or two within the next week before the waiver-trade deadline passes on August 31. (For an interesting discussion of some available and unavailable names, stop by Beer Leaguer.)