It was a bit of a rocky start…and it took them a while to get over .500…but all in all the Phillies avoided the slow start that has haunted them the last few seasons as they finished April with a 15-13 record.  They did it largely without last year’s MVP, they did it without their 2-hitter, and they did it during a stretch where people were surprised if Ryan Howard made contact.  The starting pitching wasn’t great but it was better than expected. The bullpen was phenomenal. And Chase Utley and Pat Burrell put together a 2-man offense to get the Phils through.  As of today (May 2) the Phillies sit atop the NL East.  If you told me the Phightins wouldn’t have Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, or (for all intents and purposes) Ryan Howard for the better part of April, and would be at the top of the NL East a month in,  I would have punched you in the face.  But indeed they are, and things look like they should get even better.  Victorino returned to the starting lineup last night, and Howard seems to be coming around as he had two huge hits last night including the game winning homer in the 8th.  Brad “Light Out” Lidge has been exactly that: 7-7 in save opportunities with a 0.00 ERA.  Adam Eaton hasn’t recorded a decision but he has’t been all that bad either. And the reigning NL MVP is a little more than a week away from returning to the starting lineup.  It’s a long road Phillies fans, but so far you gotta be enjoying the ride.