The Phils traveled to Atlanta this afternoon to begin a 3 game set with Braves. Coming into the afternoon the Braves trailed the Phils in the NL East by only .5 games. So with an Atlanta win the Phils would fall out of first for just the 2nd time all season. This usually the time when this team responds by playing their best and fending off the challenge, but with their recent struggles you couldn't really expect that today. Indeed, rather than playing their best the Phils actually played arguably their worst game of the season in more ways than 1.
Defensively Ross Gload and Ryan Howard each committed errors that led to runs. Pitching wise Joe Blanton was hurt by the errors and rocked for 6 runs on 8 hits in just 6 innings. Later Chad Durbin ruined the Phils last chance to comeback in this one, by serving up a 3 run homer. Brad Lidge was the lone bright spot with a scoreless 8th inning, which hopefully means he's healthy and ready to rock again. Finally the lineup struggled yet again but not as much as they had. 4 straight 2 out doubles by Raul Ibanez, Carlos Ruiz, Wilson Valdez, Ben Francisco , at least allowed them to put up 3 runs. So if nothing the bottom of the Phils order can hit again now and maybe that will inspire the top of half the lineup to get it in gear.
Ant any rate while the Phils were struggling Atlanta racked up 9 runs and Tommy Hanson tossed 6 scoreless innings en route to an easy 9 -3 Braves win. So the Phils drop to 28-22 overall and out of the 1st place in NL East. Hopefully they won't be out of first for long.
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