Diamondbacks Sign Flash

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed former Phillie, Tom "Flash" Gordon to a one year deal worth $500,000 with incentives. Gordon, 41, missed most of last season recovering from ulnar nerve decompression surgery.

After making the All Star team in 2006, in 34 appearances last season, Flash posted an ERA of 5.16 and WHIP of 1.62. In 2007, Gordon made 44 appearance with a 4.73 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

Gordon's numbers have declined the past few seasons and a lot may have to do with injuries. Either way, its a low risk deal for the Diamondbacks.

The Florida Marlins are interested in not only Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, but Chris Coste as well. The Phillies want to evaluate Ronnie Paulino before they decide to move Coste. Another catching option for the Phillies could include Lou Marson.

Utley on Hot Stove; Other Updates

Chase Utley appeared on MLB Network's show, Hot Stove on Thursday. He had nothing but positive things to say, talking about Phillies fans, the World Series, and updated his hip status.

Click here to view the video.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are interested in former Phillie, Tom Gordon. Flash, 41, missed most of the 2008 season due to an elbow injury.

The man who Brad Lidge struck out to win the World Series is now a Pirate. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Eric Hinske to a one year deal worth $1.5 million with incentives.

The Pirates also extended Paul Maholm to 3 years with a 4th year option. The deal guarantees $14.5 million. Maholm had a 3.71 ERA last season.

Frustration

Oh. My. God. That's all I can say. The Phillies haven't scored a run in 23 innings.

Despite a stellar outing by Joe Blanton, the Phillies fell in 12 innings. Blanton pitched 7 scoreless innings allowing just 1 hit. He struck out 7 and walked 2.

In the meantime, the Phillies couldn't score a run to save their lives. Paul Maholm shut out the Phillies in his 7 innings of work. He struck out 10, walked 3 and only allowed 5 hits. The Phillies would be shutout for the second straight game with just 6 hits in today's game.

The Phillies were working on their own shutout until Wes Walrond gave up an RBI double to Steve Pearce in the 12th inning. Freddy Sanchez would follow with an RBI of his own to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.

Just when you thought the Phillies would comeback, they failed to do so. With 2 on, 1 out in the bottom of the 12th, Chase Utley was up. He smoked a line drive in the gap to left center field. However, a diving catch, and Victorino being doubled off ended the Phillies hopes. Gameover.

Also, some more bad news for Tom Gordon. He may need Tommy John surgery. Perdro Feliz and Rudy Seanez could be back soon.

Team Effort

The Philadelphia Phillies took game two of the series against the Flordia Marlins. The Phillies shut out the Marlins 5-0.

Kyle Kendrick earned the win while pitching 6 shutout innings. Kendrick did give up 5 walks, but got out of jams without being touched up. He gave up just 4 hits, and struck out 4.

Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson finished off the game allowing just one hit, and no runs.

With Jeff Karstens flirting with a no hitter (well, perfect game) in Pittsburgh earlier today, the Phillies would have to face Anibal Sanchez, who threw a no hitter of his own two years ago. Sanchez' no hitter was against the Diamondbacks, and Karstens near pefect game was against the Diamondbacks. Chris Young broke it up with a double after 7.2 scoreless innings. Karstens was apart of the Xavier Nady trade which sent Nady to the Yankees.

But the Phillies offense started off quickly. No no-no tonight. Chase Utley quickly extended his hitting streak to 11 games as he doubled in the first inning to drive in Shane Victorino.

In the second inning, Eric Bruntlett would also hit an RBI double to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead. The next batter would be pitcher Kyle Kendrick. Not only did he do in on the mound, but he did it at the plate. He also drove in a run on a fielders choice.

In the fourth, Ryan Howard would hit his 32nd homerun to left center field to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead. He is now tied for the major league lead in homeruns with the Cincinnati Reds' Adam Dunn. When Howard is going the other way, that's a great sign. That's when he is hitting his best.

Mike Cervenak also got into the action. He got his first major league hit and RBI in his 3rd major league at bat.

Not only did the Phillies hit and pitch, they also played great defense behind Kendrick. They made all the plays.

With the good news, there is always some bad news for Tom Gordon. In his rehab appearance in Single A Clearwater, he was removed from the game with right elbow discomfort.

The Phillies take a 2.5 game lead in the National League East. Cole Hamels will try to rebound tomorrow from a rough outing his last time out.

Down to the Wire

Phew! Take a deep breath now. The Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-4.

Brett Myers started the game and pitched terrific. He pitched 6.0 innings, gave up just 2 earned runs on 4 hits. He did not allow a walk, and struck out 3. Not allowing a walk is big for Myers. He is getting his command back again.

Myers made one big mistake and that was to the red hot Ryan Ludwick, who hit a solo homerun. Ludwick hit his 4th homerun in 3 games. His season total is 27.

The Red Birds had a 2-0 lead before the Phillies made some noise. Chase Utley hit is 28th homerun of the year in the 7th inning. Going into the 8th, the Cardinals had a 2-1 lead.

But the Phillies would do what they've done many, many times before. Comeback. With two outs, Pat Burrell singled in Chase Utley to tie the game.

Big things come in small packages and that was the case for Shane Victorino. Victorino pinched hit for Geoff Jenkins in the 7th inning. Victorino would stay in the game, and get another at bat in the 8th inning. He crushed a 3-1 fastball over the right field fence. The Phillies took a 5-2 lead!

However, the Cardinals weren't about to quit either. In the 8th, Brendan Ryan would score on a Ryan Howard error. The Cards cut the lead to 2. The bases would load with 1 out, but Ryan Madson came in and got out of the jam by getting a ground ball double play.

Brad Lidge time. Although, he wasn't as "Lights Out" this time. Troy Glaus would lead off the inning with a solo homerun. 5-4, Philadelphia. Nobody out. The bases would load, now with one out.

Could this be Brad Lidge's first blown save of the year? As it ran through all our minds, it didn't run through Lidges'. He struck out Nick Stavinoha and Joe Mather back to back to end the game! The Phillies took the series, 2 games to 1.

The Phillies win, and Tom Gordon could be back soon. He made his first rehab appearance today since he went on the 15 day Disabled List with a strained rotator cuff. In 2/3 innings he allowed 2 earned runs. He walked one, stuck out one, and gave up a homerun. Looks like the same old Tom Gordon to me.