PHILLIES NEWS

Remember last night, when I said if you score runs early and get good pitching, those runs stand up long enough to get you win. Well, that didn't quite work out for the Phils tonight. Just Like last night the Phils started strong. Yes, They trailed early 2-0 on a 2 run homer by Carlos Beltran in the 1st inning, but Ryan Howard led them back with a grand slam, as part of a 5 run 5th inning for a 5-2 lead. This time however, that lead would not hold up for the remainder of the game. Starter Jon Lieber pitched well, tossing 6 innings and holding the Mets to 4 runs, but the Phils bullpen just didn't have it tonight. When the bottom of the 7th inning started the Phils were holding a precarious 5-4 lead, but by the time it ended the Phils bullpen had imploded, and the Mets had scored 7 runs to take what would be an insurmountable 11-5 lead. All told in the inning, relievers Rick White and Aaron Fultz were roughed up for 7 runs on 7 hits. Basically, when the 7th inning was over the game was over too, as the Phils never recovered from it, and lost 11-5. In the end the Phils lost because their offense didn't keep after the Mets, and their bullpen just picked a bad time to have arguably their worst night of the year. Fortunately for the Phils, the Reds also lost earlier today so the Phillies remain 1.5 games back in the wild card race, so they are still okay for now. Well, happy trails everyone.