Aug. 10 -- MYERS SINGS THE BLUES

Brett Myers plays guitar in a band. In June, while the Phillies were in Cleveland, he toured the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His iPod is nearly at full capacity.

Myers is a music junkie.

And, like most music junkies, he has very particular taste. That's why it's been such a tough decision for Myers to settle on an entry song. He spent a good part of yesterday scanning his iPod for an appropriately inspiring tune. He's looking for something with ample guitar and fitting (but clean) lyrics.

Suggestions have been rolling in from everywhere. Special thanks to those of you who have provided your thoughts here. (If you haven't, what are you waiting for??). It's not too late, either, to chime in. For now, Myers has chosen "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" by The Outlaws, but he doesn't seem married to that pick, especially after last night when he allowed two runs in the ninth and absorbed a 4-2 loss to the Marlins.

Personally, I think he should go with "Lights Out" by P.O.D., but Myers seems to think the lyrics, while appropriate, are too cocky. "Lights Out. Game Over. If you wanna, you can check my stats." I guess I know where he's coming from, but to me, if you're a closer, you should exude that cockiness, shouldn't you? If you're curious, here's a comprehensive list of players' entry music.

By the way, Paul W. wondered if Myers wasn't as sharp last night because he was pitching in back-to-back games. Myers said he felt strong, "maybe too strong" since his fastball to Mike Jacobs was higher than he would've liked. Personally, I don't think Myers got hit particularly hard. Tadahito Iguchi slipped trying to cover second base on Miguel Olivo's bunt, and Myers was hurt by walking Jeremy Hermida. That, right there, was the inning.

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At first blush, I liked the Phillies' decision to acquire Russell Branyan. But the more I studied his stats, the more I wonder if this will be a good fit. Branyan, who will be used mostly as a left-handed bat off the bench, is a .112 career pinch-hitter. Only one of his 118 career homers have come as a pinch-hitter. It seems to me the Phillies would've been better off with someone like Mark Sweeney, a .313 pinch-hitter this season who was acquired last night by the Dodgers from the Giants for a player to be named.

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Check out Ginger Wall's photo gallery from last night's game. Ginger stood out in the rain to get some of these photos, one of which shows that Iguchi already has a fan club at The Bank -- "Iguchi's Hoochies."

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Big night at The Bank, and not just because the Phillies and Braves will begin a three-game series that carries significant NL East and wild-card implications (the Phillies won't face either Tim Hudson or John Smoltz in the series, a HUGE break for them). Before the game, the late John Vukovich will be inducted to the Phillies' Wall of Fame in Ashburn Alley. Plenty of former players will be on hand, including Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton. Ceremonies begin at 6:50.