July 9 -- TO THE RESCUE

DENVER -- As hellacious winds whipped through Coors Field yesterday and the runaway tarp swallowed two members of the grounds crew and flung another across the infield like a rag doll, Adam Eaton stared out from the dugout in disbelief.

"Three guys went underneath, one guy came out, and I was like, 'Where's those other two people?'" Eaton said. "Then, I saw their arms come out, and their eyes were as big as plates."

Within seconds, Phillies players and coaches, including 63-year-old Jimy Williams, had burst onto the field to lend a hand. Shane Victorino pulled one corner like he was involved in a tug-of-war. Eaton tried to stretch and extend the tarp. Ryan Howard held down one section with his knee. Abraham Nunez, known for his strong arm at third base, heaved sandbags to pin down other areas.

It was clutch. And classy. Very, very classy.

So classy, in fact, that head groundskeeper Mark Razum said he was "overtaken" by the gesture. In 29 years as a groundskeeper, he couldn't recall a team helping to pull the tarp. And, during the whole thing, the Rockies were in their clubhouse. Only reliever LaTroy Hawkins came out to help. "They saved us, really," Razum said of the Phillies.

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By the way, the Phillies won the game behind homers from Pat Burrell and Victorino and three hits by Jimmy Rollins and moved back to .500 and within 4-1/2 games of the Mets.

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More good news on Tom Gordon, plus Carlos Carrasco and Adrian Cardenas made a good showing at the Futures Game. Can Ryan Howard, and batting-practice pitcher to the stars Ramon Henderson, have another triumphant Home Run Derby tonight?

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Looks like Caesar Rodney grad Dave Williams' return to the Mets didn't go so well.

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Sadly, it's almost time for me to leave Denver. Found another great restaurant tonight, though (snappy theme song, too). I can't stress how underrated Denver is as a city. One of my favorites in the National League. While I'm flying home later today, please keep the comments coming on the post below about Aaron Rowand. We've got a great discussion going right now. I'll chime in after I get home.