Aug. 3 -- GORDON UPDATE

ST. LOUIS -- Ninety minutes before the start of tonight's ESPN-televised game here, and lots to tell:

1. Tom Gordon made his first rehab start today for single-A Clearwater and allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning. The Phillies, though, are less focused on Gordon's results than on his health. So, the real test will come tomorrow when Gordon sees how his right elbow reacts. If everything goes well, he'll likely pitch Tuesday or Wednesday. It appears possible, barring any setbacks, that Gordon could rejoin the Phillies during the trip to LA and San Diego in the middle of the month. Much more in tomorrow's News Journal.

2. Top prospect Carlos Carrasco is pitching right now at triple-A Lehigh Valley. We'll update you when he comes out of the game against Rochester.

Tonight's lineup for the rubber game against Cardinals RHP Todd Wellemeyer (8-4, 4.13), who, by the way, started on June 13 when the Phillies scored 20 runs here at Busch Stadium: SS Jimmy Rollins (.267/8/40), CF Jayson Werth (.266/15/41), 2B Chase Utley (.293/27/76), 1B Ryan Howard (.239/31/96), LF Pat Burrell (.277/27/66), RF Geoff Jenkins (.243/9/27), 3B Greg Dobbs (.304/4/22), C Chris Coste (.284/8/27), RHP Brett Myers (4-9, 5.46).

Nothing wrong with Shane Victorino. Just a routine night off.