Kris Benson Takes the Loss in Triple-A Start

Kris Benson made a rehab start for the Phillies Triple-A affiliate the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs on Sunday.

Benson threw 73 pitches, allowed four earned runs on five hits in four innings of work. Benson struck out one, and received the loss as the Iron Pigs fell to the Syracuse SkyChiefs in front of 9,010 at Coco-Cola Park.

A Pitiful National League

Monday night before any first pitches have been tossed the National League only has five teams above the .500 mark, the Cubs, Cardinals, Phillies, Brewers and Marlins. Compared to the American League that has 10 of it's 14 teams above .500.

The NL West does not have a team above .500. Arizona leads the division with a 41-41 record.

Is this the reason the Phillies have had some success this season? Playing in such a mediocre league.

Let's hope our Fightin Phils can get it together, soon.

Interleague Plays Continues as Phils Head West

Monday was a much needed off day for the Phillies. Callers constantly complained all day on both 610 WIP and ESPN 950 about the stone cold Phils, who have lost their last five games, and dropped the last seven of ten.

If this past week's match-ups against the Red Sox and Angels were measuring tools for the Phillies, all flaws were shown.

Lack of starting pitching, and heavily relying on the bats.

The city was in panic today screaming about the lack of starting pitching on the AM dial. Callers were frustrated, angry and almost losing hope.

It's still early in the year, of course the team is going to be hot and cold its a 162 game marathon.

The Phils travel to Oakland for a three game set with the AL West's second place A's. The A's are currently 41-34. Then the Phils will battle the Texas Rangers who are a game above .500.

I guess I won't see too much of the next two games being they start at 10:05 PM. Let's hope the Fightins can turn things around while were catching some ZzZzZz's.

USA Basketball Team Announced

According to NBA. com

2008 USA Men’s Senior National Team Roster

NAME	POS	HGT	WGT	DOB	TEAM	SCHOOL
Carmelo Anthony	F	6-8	230	5/29/84	Denver Nuggets	Syracuse University
Carlos Boozer	F	6-9	258	11/20/81	Utah Jazz	Duke University
Chris Bosh	F	6-10	230	3/24/84	Toronto Raptors	Georgia Tech
Kobe Bryant	G	6-6	220	8/23/78	Los Angeles Lakers	Lower Merion H.S. (PA)
Dwight Howard	F/C	6-11	265	12/08/85	Orlando Magic	Southwest Atlanta Christian Acd. (GA)
LeBron James	F	6-8	240	12/30/84	Cleveland Cavaliers	St.Vincent-St. Mary H.S. (OH)
Jason Kidd	G	6-4	212	3/23/73	Dallas Mavericks	University of California
Chris Paul	G	6-0	170	5/06/85	New Orleans Hornets	Wake Forest University
Tayshaun Prince	F	6-9	205	2/28/80	Detroit Pistons	University of Kentucky
Michael Redd	G	6-6	215	8/24/79	Milwaukee Bucks	Ohio State University
Dwyane Wade	G	6-4	212	1/17/82	Miami Heat	Marquette University
Deron Williams	G	6-3	205	7/26/84	Utah Jazz	University of Illinois

There is only a couple big powerful players on the team in Orlando's Dwight Howard, and Utah's Carlos Boozer. I'm also suprised Team USA would want Carmelo Anthony of the team. Duke's Mike Krzyzewski will try and lead Team USA to gold.

Training begins June 28-29 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Olympics will take place August 8-24 in Beijing, China.

The Cold Streak is Over!

In the bottom of the third inning, Chase Utley smashed a double to the gap in right center field. Utley eventually scored on a RBI single from Ryan Howard.

Utley was in the coldest streak of his career going 0-for-24 before the double.

The Phils are trailing the Angels 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth, trying to avoid the sweep.

Utley Cold as Ice

Chase Utley must remove Foreigner's Cold As Ice from his iPod immediately. Utley is currently in the worst streak of his career, and tomorrow's off day could not have come at a better time.

Utley is 0-for his last -20, and has not had a hit since June 13th. Utley's batting average is now below .300 at .294.

The Phils will play host to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for a three game series beginning Friday at 7:05 PM. Utley will look to break out of his slump.

BoSox Visit Phillies

The Boston Red Sox will visit Philadelphia for a three game series starting tonight, followed by another night game tommorow and the series finale Wednesday afternoon for a business man's special.

Boston comes in with the best record in the AL at 44-28. While the Phillies are atop of the NL East at 41-30. Some say tonight is a preview of the fall classic, also known as the World Series.

The Sox are hot, 7-3 in their last 10 games. While the Phillies have lost their last two games, but are 6-4 in their last 10.

Cole Hamels (6-4) will take the mound tonight planning to end the Phils current skid. Hamels will take on Boston's new star Bartolo Colon (4-1).

Colon has had success so far in his first five starts with the Red Sox. One would expect a low scoring game tonight with both starting pitcher's ERAs under 3.50.

The Phils will not see Josh Beckett or Big Papi, in this series.

Let's go Phillies. We need to win this series, to prove this team is serious.

Help Swoop Win the Mascot Competition

Help the Eagles' mascot Swoop defeat the Seahawks mascot Blitz, by voting at http://www.sportsline.com/spin/story/10860772.

CBS Sports is running a mascot bracket tournament. The AFC and NFC finalists will meet July 8th in the mascot championship.

Happy Father's Day

I'd like to thank my pops for passing down the passion of rooting for Philadelphia teams to me.

Over the years my Dad has taken me to countless Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and Sixers games.

So I got my Dad tickets to the July 12th Phillies game against the Arizona Diamond Backs for Father's Day. It's Italian Heritage day at the park. Should be a great time.

Drink of the Weekend

Miller Lite, what else would I have picked, thats where I work now. Discounted beer, can't beat that.

Injury Prone McNabb Hurt Yet Again

According to PhiladelphiaEagles.com Donovan McNabb is suffering from shoulder tendinitis in his throwing arm.

It has been announced McNabb will sit out the rest of the week. The Eagles did say McNabb would be ready for training camp that starts June 22.

"No surgery, and there should be no repercussions from it. He'll just get treatment for about two weeks here, and he'll be ready to go," Andy Reid said.

McNabb suffered from shoulder tendinitis back in 2004. McNabb has suffered from injuries since the Birds Super Bowl run. In 2005, McNabb had a sports hernia. In 2006, Jeff Garcia led the Birds to the playoffs and a playoff win when McNabb tore a knee ligament. In 2007, McNabb missed the final two games of the season with a sprained ankle and an injured thumb.

Strahan Retires after 15-Year-Career

Michael Strahan retires from the NFL after winning a Super Bowl with the New York Giants last season.

Strahan played 15 years in the NFL compiling 141.5 sacks and 429 career tackles. Strahan's best season was in 2001 when he had 22.5 sacks, a single-season record.

Strahan and Eagles tackle Jon Runyan have been battling twice a year since 2000 plus a few epic playoff battles.

"Going out on top, if you could write a book, that's the way you'd want to end it … I'd put him up there with Reggie White. I only played against Reggie once. He's right up there with him," Runyan told Philly.com.

610 WIP's Howard Eskin interviews Freddie Mitchell

Fred-Ex interviewed on 610 WIP by Howard Eskin, always a good time. Haha Freddie said, "Have your producer end the interview with Journey- Don't Stop Believing."

Heres the link: http://podcast.610wip.com/wip/1135887.mp3

Rollins Rides the Pine

In the third inning of today's game Jimmy Rollins popped up to shallow left field, Reds shortstop Paul Janish misplayed and dropped the ball.

Rollins did not run the ball out, and only made it to first base when he most likely could have been safe at second if he hustled out of the batters box.

Eric Bruntlett entered the game at shortstop for the Phils the next inning.

Uncle Charlie wants his players to hustle, and after this incident with J-Roll riding the pine, I think he'll get Charlie's message.

On a good note, Cole Hamels pitched a complete game shutout allowing just three hits, striking out four, improving his record to 6-4.

The Peoples Champ Gets Another Try in the NFL

Ex-Eagle Freddie Mitchell, Fred-Ex, the Peoples Champ, Mr. 4th & 26, whatever you want to call him has worked out with the Baltimore Ravens according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Mitchell tried out for the Chiefs in 2005 , but couldn't hack it.

Fred-Ex played from 2001-2004 with the Eagles where he caught 90 passes for 1263 yards scoring five touchdowns.

Mitchell's claim to fame was in a 2004 playoff game against the Green Bay Packers when he caught the infamous 4th and 26 pass from Donavon McNabb.

It would be great to see the Peoples Champ back in the NFL. It's a long shot but hopefully Mitchell makes the Ravens roster. The Birds pay the Ravens a visit on November 23 and I'm sure Brian Dawkins would love to get Freddie Mitchell some Brotherly Love.

A Hard Cup Series to Root For

The Pens were victorious Monday night after three overtimes, to stay alive in the series 3-2.

But I find it hard to watch the Stanley Cup this year.

Who do I pull for the Red Wings?
The team that swept the Flyers in the Cup in 1997.

Or Sid the Kid's team?
The team who just punished the Flyers in the Eastern Conference Finals 4-1.

Game six is tonight at 8PM on NBC.

Smoltz to have Season Ending Surgery

"I can't compete with my body anymore," John Smoltz said during his press conference today.

Smoltz will have season ending surgery on his right shoulder next week.

Smoltz made his return Monday night out of the bullpen in the ninth inning as the closer, but blew the lead and save to the Marlins allowing three hits and two earned runs.

Over his career Smoltz has compiled 210 wins and 154 saves with a 3.26 ERA.

The Braves currently trail the Phillies in the NL East by 3.5 games.

Utley Earns NL Player of the Week Honors

Thanks to Chase's 5 Homers and 14 RBI's on the week.

Kruker Struck out by Women's Softball Pitcher

John Kruk was announcing the Women's College World Series the other night and made a comment that he thinks it would be impossible to hit a softball coming from the college pitchers.

Tonight on ESPN's Sports Center, they had footage of Kruker trying to hit some pitches from a college softball pitcher.

The best he did was foul one off. He still had that great batting stance though.

Phils Bats are For Real, Moyer Leads Team in Wins

The Phils defeated the Marlins 7-5 Sunday afternoon, to win the three game series two games to one, and take soul possession of first place in the NL East. The Phils (33-25) are a half game above the Marlins and three and a half above the Braves.

Once again Chase Utley goes yard, hitting his league leading 20th homer of the season. Geoff Jenkins also hit a two run ding dong as a pinch hitter in the 6th inning to tie the game.

Then Pat "the bat" Burrell hit a double down the left field line in the 7th plating two Phils giving them the 7-5 lead and eventual win, thanks to a scoreless 8th pitched by Tom Gordon, and yet again another stellar performance by Brad Lidge, picking up his 13th save in as many tries.

The ageless Jamie Moyer picked up the win improving his record to 6-3 on the season. Moyer leads the Phils in the wins category.

I haven't seen the Phillies play such good baseball since 1993. The Phils are very fun to watch, and when they get down, as a fan you always have hope that they will come back.