Bullpen Collapses, Offense Lacks Punch, Phillies Lose

Ever watch a game and just have an awful feeling? Almost as though you knew that despite leading late in the game, your team just was going to find a way to lose? Call me pessimistic, but I just had that sinking feeling last night for the first time in a long time with the Phillies.

A mediocre outing by Cole Hamels, coupled with some lackluster offense by the lineup, and an improbable five run tenth inning doomed the Phillies as Toronto came away with a 8-3 win in ten innings.

Hamels flirted with disaster throughout most of the night, appearing to not have his best stuff on the mound for a second straight game. Hamels lasted six innings, walked two batters, and allowed seven hits and two runs. He struck out six and gave up one home run. In the sixth inning, Hamels escaped a bases loaded and zero out situation. With the Phillies trailing 2-1 at that point, Hamels was helped by some infield pop flies and a strike out to give the Phillies a fighting chance.

After Hamels departed from the game, Jayson Werth hit a two run home run to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead. The lead lasted until the ninth inning when Ryan Madson gave up two singles to the lead off batters and intentionally walked Adam Lind to set up a double play situation. After striking out Alex Rios Madson, he proceeded to walk in the game tying run. With the bases still loaded, Madson retired the next two batters to send the game to extra innings.

In the tenth inning Clay Condrey could not give the Phillies a chance to win. Condrey was charged with all five runs in the tenth inning from the Blue Jays, in just a third of an inning. Tyler Walker came in to relieve Condrey, but he couldn’t quite stop the bleeding, giving up a sacrifice fly and a double by Rod Barajas.

Chase Utley was 3-for-4 with a run scored, one run batted in, and a stolen base. Raul Ibanez was 0-for-5 with three strike outs. Ryan Howard was 1-for-5 with three strike outs. Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz were both 0-for-4. Jimmy Rollins was 2-for-5 with a run scored in the first inning.

Scott Rolen was 2-for-4 for Toronto with a pair of walks and a run scored. Barajas was 2-for-5 with a couple runs batted in.

The Phillies look at even up the series tonight with Jamie Moyer taking the mound. Toronto will send Scott Richmond to face the Phillies offense, in place of the injured Roy Halladay.