The Phillies have put themselves into a position in the second wildcard race where a series like this is a must-win. In fact, the next 11 games are all must-wins. They hoped Roy Halladay could help them continue their winning streak, but it wouldn't be that simple.
In the top of the first inning, Jason Heyward and Chipper Jones scored on a three-run home run off the bat of Freddie Freeman. Halladay had Freeman at 0-2 with two outs. 3-0 Braves.
Halladay would see his last inning in the second. Jason Heyward doubled to deep right field, clearing the bases. Just like that, the Braves were ahead 6-0. Doc got the hook after that, and Charlie called on Jeremy Horst to come in. Heyward later scored on a double from Chipper Jones, extending their lead to 7-0. Halladay was charged with the run and his ERA is now at 4.40.
So, after a horrendous inning and two thirds, Halladay had been charged with seven earned runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out three. He tossed 51 pitches, 33 for strikes.
The Phillies got a run back in the third. Kevin Frandsen came through with a triple, and he scored on a sacrifice fly from Darin Ruf. It was Ruf's first major league RBI. 7-1 Atlanta.
Ryan Howard hit a major milestone this afternoon. In the fourth inning, Ryan hit a ball deep into the ivy in center field for home run number 300.
The bullpen was doing a fine job after a shortened outing for Doc. B.J. Rosenberg pitched two solid innings, allowing just one hit. Jake Diekman walked four batter through an inning and two third. Josh Lindblom would come in to finish off the seventh for him.
Kevin Frandsen's triple and Ryan Howard's homer were the only two hits Mike Minor would allow in his six-inning outing. Chad Durbin came in for the seventh and allowed one hit before Johnny Venters came in to retire Ty Wigginton.
Justin De Fratus struggled a bit in the eighth. Michael Bourn doubled to lead off the inning, and Jason Heyward brought him home with an RBI single. De Fratus ended the inning with a strikeout of Freddie Freeman. However, the Phillies were then down by a six run deficit.
Phillippe Aumont pitched a perfect ninth inning, leaving it to the Phillies to turn this ballgame around. The Phils managed just three hits all afternoon. Eric O'Flaherty wouldn't give up another in the ninth, closing it out beautifully for his team. Phillies drop this one, 8-2.
Tim Hudson and Cliff Lee will square off tomorrow afternoon in the rubber match of this series. First pitch will be at 1:35.
