The Zo Zone

A couple hours after the Phillies beat the Pirates last night at PNC Park, 11-8, the Astros beat the Padres at Petco Park.

It put the Phillies and Padres into a first-place tie in the NL wild-card race.

It's almost hard to believe if you remember their 4-11 start.

J.D. Durbin pitched well and made people forget about Adam Eaton. He allowed four hits and three runs in six innings. That's a 4.50 ERA, but everybody in the Phillies clubhouse seems to be in agreement: If their starters can allow three or four runs in six or seven innings, respectively, the offense likes its chances. Durbin gave up two runs in the first three innings, but never seemed to be in any serious trouble. That's a good thing because Eaton seemed to be in trouble every other inning. If Durbin keeps pitching the way he has -- he is 4-1 with 4.11 ERA in five starts this season, and 4-0 with a 3.15 ERA in his last four starts -- it's going to be near impossible to pull him from the rotation with a month to play in the season.

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Shane Victorino is back with the team, but he sounds like he won't be back until later next week. He seems likely to begin another rehab appearance Monday. Freddy Garcia is pitching for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies today. Could he back at some point this season? It's possible, but nobody in the organization seems optimistic that Garcia will be able to contribute in a meaningful way. In other words, why would the Phillies put Garcia back into the rotation if he's still throwing 85 mph and struggling to get out hitters? They might as well keep Durbin and the others in the rotation if they are performing.

Ryan Madson has not started to throw yet. Michael Bourn is not running at full speed yet. Rod Barajas went 2 for 2 last night for single-A Lakewood. Remember Francisco Rosario? He has a 5.68 ERA in three rehab appearances for single-A Clearwater.

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Another blurb on Ed Wade being stuck in a tree.

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Balls, Sticks, & Stuff talks about being wild-card leaders. We Should Be GM's points out the Phillies are a season-best nine games over .500. And Mike's Baseball Rants comes up with some very interesting statistics regarding Adam Eaton's season.

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Back in the '70s and '80s when the Astros, Padres and Pirates wore some of the ugliest uniforms known to man, do you think they knew they looked terrible? I mean, do you think Nolan Ryan ever turned to somebody and said, "Man, I look like a damn clown in this jersey. I can't pitch like this. It's embarrassing." I ask because the uniforms the Pirates wore last night were terrible. This picture doesn't do them justice. They must be the worst jerseys in baseball.