Phillies Update

World champion Philadelphia is still leading the National League East, but the team has to be looking forward to the end of interleague play. The Phillies are 3-6 against the AL East, winning their first series at new Yankee Stadium, but losing five of six at home this week to the Red Sox and Blue Jays. The Phillies are coming off a sweep by the Jays, who outscored them 23-11. Philadelphia (36-28) is a dismal 13-19 at Citizens Bank Park. And the news gets worse for the Phillies. Outfielder Raul Ibanez, who was in the top three in the NL in homers (22), RBIs (59) and runs scored (51), was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a strained left groin. It'll put a dent in their power production, but Philadelphia still has three other hitters in double digits in homers: Ryan Howard (19), Chase Utley (15) and Jayson Werth (12). On the flip side, the Phillies' pitching staff has the second worst ERA in the NL, behind only the Nationals. And no big league team has allowed more homers than Philadelphia's 98 in 64 games. The Orioles are 21-21 against the Phillies in regular-season contests, but just 13-17 against them since 2000.