PHILLIES NEWS

It was a tough day for the Phils. They went in to today's game looking to complete a 4 game sweep of the Nationals but their inability to use key members of their bullpen cost them. Cole Hamels got the start ,and went 5 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 2 hits, while striking out 6. Earlier in the season, Hamels might have stayed in the game longer, but since he's just coming off an injury, Charlie Manuel would not let him play on. Meanwhile, after Pat Burrell had tied it at 1 in the 5th, with a two out single, the Phils took the lead in the 6th, on a one out single by Carlos Ruiz. Unfortunately, the Phils bullpen then had to takeover and they could not hold the lead. Antonio Alfonseca allowed Washington to go ahead 3-2 in he bottom of the 6th, but Geoff Geary and Kyle Lohse(yes that one, the Phils #5 starter) combined to push the game into the 8th, with the Nats still only ahead by 1. However, apparently, neither J.C Romero, nor Tom Gordon, were available to pitch the 8th, so instead little used Kane Davis, came into pitch the 8th, and he couldn't keep the Nats lead at 1, as he allowed 2 runs for a 5-2 Nats lead. Thus, when Aaron Rowand knocked in a run in the top of the 9th, it was meaningless, and the Phils still lost 5-3, to drop to 85-71 overall. The Padres lost today as well, so the Phils remain .5 games behind in the wildcard race, but are now 2.5 games behind the Mets in the NL East. Thus, life sucks once again.