The Phils now gain ground even when they’re not playing.

Last night Ken Griffey Jr. blasted home run No. 600 as the Reds downed the Marlins. In the process that means the Phils picked up another half-game on the Fish.

They enter tonight’s three-game set in South Florida four games up. Brett Myers takes the mound tonight. Myers has been turning around his mediocre start to the season. Last outing he threw six innings of no-hit ball, but was eventually outdueled by young Reds phenom Edinson Volquez.

Look for the Phils to take at least two of three in Florida, starting tonight with Myers on the hill. This is a guy with something to prove, a guy who is smarting from the criticism heaped on him with the way he was throwing early in the season.

Myers pitches better with a chip on his shoulder. That’s usually not a problem for him. He’s had his issues, including a couple of scrapes and corresponding blow-ups with the media. But earlier this season, Myers seemed surprisingly docile as he struggled.

Myers can be as gruff as he wants to be after the game, so long as he takes that same attitude with him to the mound. And throws lights out.