Bay Trippers | It was hardly a work of art, but the Phillies scraped together just enough offense and got just enough pitching yesterday to down the Giants, 4-3, and take the series, two games to one. Had Astros catcher Brad Ausmus not suffered a brain cramp in the ninth inning of last night's Houston-Florida game, the Phils may have been able to close the gap in National East to a game. As it is, they head to Denver a game back, with Eric Milton, whose tendency to throw long balls doesn't bode well in Coors, facing Joe Kennedy tonight in the opener of a four-game set against the Rockies.

A day after Jim Thome confessed to thumb soreness, closer Billy Wagner suffered what Sam Malone once described as a "g-g-groin injury" while warming in the bullpen; he could be headed to the DL. With Roberto Hernandez already sidelined, Tim Worrell appears to be the most likely candidate to close in Wagner's absence, though Ryan Madson showed some serious stones yesterday in securing the save against San Francisco.