3 Letters: PFP

After the Cardinals blow the lead in the 8th with 4 straight walks to give the Philles 2 runs, Chase Utley and Tom Gordon failed to connect on 2 ground balls. The Cardinals wound up winning the game 7-6.

Not only did the Phillies blow the game defensively but a mental mistake by Eric Bruntlett and good hands by Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina cost the Philles the go ahead run. With 1 out, Bruntlett charged home on a ground ball hit to first baseman Chris Duncan. He threw home to Molina, blocking a section of the plate. If Bruntlett would have slid around him, he would have been safe. But he chose to run threw Molina who made a blind tag and held onto the ball. Molina was hurt on the play, being put in a neck brace and carted off the field.


Brett Myers was scary on the mound again. He gave up 6 runs on 8 hits. He also struck out 3. He gave up 2 home runs to Skip Shumaker and Troy Glaus. Ryan Madson struck out the side in the 7th. JC Romero and Chad Durbin also pitched scoreless innings. Tom Gordon pitched the 10th, giving up 1 hit and 1 un-earned run.

Jimmy Rollins 2-5 today with 3 runs. He hit a triple in the 8th with 2 outs. He was followed by 4 straight walks. Ryan Howard went 2-4 with 4 RBIs and a double. His batting average improved to .217. Howard has 58 RBIs for the season, putting him in third in the NL. Pat Burrell added 2 RBIs, including the tying RBI walk. He has 47 total.

In the top of the 10th, Gordon got the first 2 batters out. Rick Ankiel hit a groundball to Chase Utley but his throw went wide. Glaus followed with a base hit to left field. With runners on first and second and 2 outs, Chris Duncan hit what looked like the third out. Utley fielded it and threw the ball to Gordon who completely missed the ball. Ankiel scored and the Cardinals won the game.

The Phillies finished the 9 game road trip 5-4. They are now 3 games ahead of the Marlins, who won today. The Phillies host the Red Sox with Cole Hamels leading off the series. Pitching probables are:

Monday - B. Colon (4-1, 3.41), C. Hamels (6-4, 3.27)
Tuesday - J. Lester (5-3, 3.43), J. Moyer (7-3, 4.12)
Wednesday - K. Kendrick, Masterson (MLB.com provided no probables for Wednesday)