May 20 -- MAKING A STAND

Ten days ago, when the Phillies returned from the West Coast, we said they needed to go 7-3 at the Bank to get to .500.

They went 7-3.

Without Ryan Howard.

Highlights from the homestand included five home runs by previously slumping Pat Burrell, a six-run seventh inning May 12 against the Cubs, a six-run eighth inning two days later against the Brewers, a .414 average for fill-in first baseman Greg Dobbs, a .353 average for Abraham Nunez, a walk-off homer by Carlos Ruiz, six innings of perfection by Cole Hamels and 7-2/3 innings in 10 days from closer Brett Myers.

Yet, for as well as the Phillies played, they picked up only a half game on the first-place Mets.

"I'm not worried about them," Shane Victorino said. "We're going to play them, eventually. We'll have plenty of chances to pick up ground on them."

What do you think about the homestand? Reason for optimism or much ado about nothing?

* Several Phillies were amused when Adam Eaton went from first to third on Aaron Rowand's single in the sixth inning. "When I saw him going, I was like, 'What's he doing?'" Victorino said. "I was like, 'Yo, take it easy. You've got to pitch, buddy.'" Eaton countered with, "Pitchers are the best athletes on the field, aren't they?" But not even Eaton would test the Phillies' outfielders. Burrell, Rowand, Victorino and Jayson Werth have teamed for 20 assists, most in the majors. "I wouldn't run on this outfield," Eaton said.

Check the Blog tomorrow for more on Myers. Also, check The News Journal for injury updates on Howard and Ryan Madson and news on Fabio Castro being sent back to the minors. Didn't I call that (sort of)?