Ugh.
Well they're back to the losing spirit in Philly. The Phillies dropped game two of three against the Giants this afternoon's slugfest in what was set to be a pitcher's duel. Cole Hamels entered this game with an 11-4 record and a 3.07 ERA and left with the same record but a much higher 3.23 ERA. Opposing Hamels was All-Star game winner Matt Cain, who was seeking his 11th win. Neither pitchers would advance in wins as this game was all bats and bullpen.
In the bottom of the first inning, Chase Utley got things started right against the Giants with a solo shot off of Cain for his third of the season. The home run was Utley's fourth career blast off of Cain.
The Giants would strike right back in the top of the third as Matt Cain sent a solo shot to the left field stands. After a walk to Melky Cabrera, Buster Posey hit a two-run home run. 3-1 Giants.
The Phils would get one back in the bottom half as Cole Hamels got back at his counterpart by hitting a home run, his first of the season and the first of his career.
The Giants would keep the lead through the fifth inning as Buster Posey added another RBI to his resume with an RBI single.
With the Phils down 4-2 in the bottom half of the sixth, a Jimmy Rollins walk and a Shane Victorino single would lead to a three-run blast by Ryan Howard. Phillies lead 5-4 in the sixth.
It seemed like it would be good enough for Hamels to keep up the lead and get through the late innings of the game. It would work for the top of the seventh, but in the top of the eighth a Melky Cabrera would tie up the game. After a Buster Posey double, a Gregor Blanco walk and a Joaquin Arias single, Hamels' day would be done.
The lefthander tossed 7 2/3 innings, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits, three home runs and three walks. Hamels would strike out six to get the no-decision.
Antonio Bastardo came on in relief to get Hamels' jam undone. He did just that, popping up Brandon Belt to end the 8th inning.
Matt Cain would go eight innings and his final line is as followed: 8 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 HR.
The Phils were unable to acheive any runs in the top part of the 9th and left the bottom half to Jonathan Papelbon in a non-save situation.
Papelbon would throw just 6 pitches in the 9th inning. He would remain in the game for the 10th after the Phillies failed to make a walk-off happen in the 9th. Big mistake. Papelbon would walk Cabrera, allow a Buster Posey single and the fatal Gregor Blanco single that gave the Giants the 6-5 lead in the 10th. This is Papelbon's fourth loss of the season.
That would be the end as the Phillies failed to score a run after leaving a man on first. It's the Phillies' 54th loss of the season and they are now 13 games under .500 and it seems like they may be staying there.
Joe Blanton (8-8, 4.79 ERA) will face Barry Zito (8-6, 3.75 ERA) tomorrow in the series finale.
