One For August

Ryan Howard hit his first home run in August as the Phils beat Los Angeles 8-4 to even their series.

One home run in August, on the last day of the month. True, he missed a few weeks while recovering from an injury, but the big guy's power drought pretty much summed up the Phillies anemic offensive output for the month. Brian Schneider also hit a three run homer and Chooch, one of the only consistent hitters, stroked a two run pinch-hit single for the final runs. The hit came off Jonathan Broxton, who probably asked manager Joe Torre to give him the rest of the year and next year off if the Phillies are the opposition.

Kyle Kendrick started and last five innings (though he faced two batters in the sixth), giving up seven hits, a walk and four earned runs. That isn't effective pitching even for a back of the rotation guy, but the bullpen held LA scoreless from that point on and the Phils's six-run outburst in the early innings provided all the necessary runs.

Roy Oswalt, who has been tremendous of late, goes for the series clincher this afternoon.