Notes: Before Howard saved it, offense nearly blew it

The Big Piece notwithstanding, the lack of situational hitting, and absence of a true bench threat, is a topic worth discussing. Until Ryan Madson coughed it up in the ninth (a topic we'll revisit later this morning) Chase Utley's first-inning homer would have been enough to reward Cole Hamels for his best start in weeks. Nevertheless, there's no reason why the Phillies needed to be in a position to win one by the skin of their teeth, leaving it to...