PHILLIES NEWS

The Phils continued their series with the Mets this afternoon. Jamie Moyer got another start in place of J.A Happ and after a rough 1st inning, he did his job allowing just 5 runs on 7 hits in 7 innings. Meanwhile, the Phils pounded out 9 runs on 12 hits in that same time frame. Pedro Feliz hit a 2 run homer in the 2nd inning, Chase Utley slammed a solo homer, and Raul Ibanez slugged a 2 run homer in the 3rd inning, Jimmy Rollins slapped an RBI single in the 4th inning, Carlos Ruiz singled in a run, and JRoll Tripled in another run in the 6th inning, and Raul Ibanez lined an RBI single in the 7th inning. Thus, Jamie left after the 7th inning with a 9-5 lead and the Phils seemingly headed to victory, but the bullpen still had to close things out. Unfortunately, on this night they could not. Brett Myers was touched up for 3 runs on 5 hits in the 8th inning, to cut the lead to 9-8 heading into the 9th. There Ryan Madson could not put away another save. Madson got 2 quick outs in the inning with no harm done, but before he could get the 3rd out David Wright had slammed a 2 run homer to put New York ahead 10-9. Madson managed to keep the Mets from doing any further damage from there, but the damage had already been done. The Phils could not mount a comeback in the bottom of the inning, going down in order to finish off another late inning loss. There was plenty to like on this night. Several of the Phils 12 hits on the night generated 2 out RBIs, and produced their best hitting night in a quite some time. Also Moyer toughed out 7 strong innings, which is a good sign considering the Phils may need him quite a few more times during the remainder of the season. In the end though it all came down to the bullpen at the end of the game and they just didn't get the job done. I am not sure what the Phils can really do about it right now. They're just going to have to ride it out and hope it doesn't ruin the season. Anyway so the Phils drop to 80-60 overall now and back down to just 5 games up in the NL East.