Editors Note: Each Sunday Night Inside the Dugout will give you the wrap-up on this week's baseball season.

The Race for the Pennant

The Phillies finish the week 3 and 3 splitting series with NL East foes the Mets and the Braves. While the Marlins have been on a tear winning 5 in a row to regain first place. The Phils begin the week 2 games back of the Fish. And as I like to point out: The Phillies NON-Marlins record is 27-15 (.643) winning percentage. The Marlins went 6 and 1 this week and improved their NON- Phillies record to 24-20 (.545).

What's Next?

7 MORE games against the NL East, another important week for the Phillies. 3 at home against the Mets and 4 tough games down in Atlanta.

Bowa Watch

Bowa is a little frustrated with his starting pitching which is putting a burden on the bullpen. Bowa's daughter was in a serious car accident this week, but she was okay, so Bowa was able to make Friday night's game.

Black Cherry Wishniak -- Best Players

• 3B - David Bell -- Batted .316, scored 4 Runs and 1 homer.
• 1B - Jim Thome -- Batted .313 a homer and 4 RBI.
• SP - Eric Milton -- Nice week this week. 2 outings 1-1 2.77 ERA and 15K.

Soft Pretzels -- Weak Players

• P - Kevin Millwood -- Milwood is still struggling with his mechanics and walking batters. His last outing lasted only 4 innings with a 13.50 ERA. In the last 3 starts he has 1 loss and 2 no decisions (the Phillies were 1-1 in the other two starts). He has given up 15 runs in those starts, while his ERA has steadily reason from 3.55 TO 4.90. The walks have given into other problems for the staff "ace" as Opponents raised their average 13 points from .262 to .275. The Phillies lost the wild card last year to the starting pitching falling off. This has to turn around.
• RP - Roberto Hernandez -- Hernandez gave up 4 runs his last outing, letting a close game get out of hand and out of reach. He has 2 blown saves this season, and this week his ERA jumped from 3.60 to 5.40. Hernandez was one of those solid veterans that was to solidify this bullpen. He has to turn it around.
• Lineup -- Marlon Byrd .063, Mike Lieberthal .158, Bobby Abreu .174, Burrell .200, Glanville .200, Rollins.238. How did they win 3 games this week?

Scrapple -- Key Stats and Plays

• He's Due -- My Dad turned to me on Sunday when Jim Thome stepped to the plate in the 8th with David Bell on base. "Hey, Mike, he's due isn't he?" I nodded, thinking the same thing to myself. Next thing you know, as my buddy Kale had text me earlier, "Thome goin yard".
• Tomas Perez big night -- One of the things the 1993 Phillies had, were unsung heroes. Players who filled their roles when called like Pete Incaviglia, Mariano Duncan and Wes Chamberlain. Tomas Perez is one of those guys on this team. Friday night, Tomas tied up the braves game Friday night with a double in the 8th. Then hit a big home run in the 10th to win the game.

HammLinks: Around the Web

• Rollins tabbed to return to Leadoff spot