Pitching Comes Up Small, Phillies Swept at Home

The Toronto Blue Jays should the kind of hustle that Phillies have come to expect from their own team over the past couple seasons. Meanwhile the Phillies have reached lows never thought possible under the management of Charlie Manuel.

Toronto responded well to every momentum shift the Phillies took advantage of, and fought back for a victory to complete a three-game sweep of the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Joe Blanton got the start for the Phillies and he really had to give the Phillies some solid innings and pitch through seven innings. Only pitching 5.1 innings, though, once again hurt the team and the bullpen. Blanton was charged with four earned runs on nine hits, including a pair of home runs. Chan Ho Park gave up one run in one inning of relief, and Clay Condrey gave up two runs on three hits without recording an out.

J.C. Romero and Tyler Walker each got out without being charged a run.

Jimmy Rollins had a three-hit day, including a two-run home run. John Mayberry Jr., called up to fill in for Raul Ibanez (placed on the DL yesterday), had two hits including a home run to left field.

Down 7-5 entering the eighth inning the Phillies fought back to tie the game before the ninth inning. But the Blue Jays struck right back when Rod Barajas hit a leadoff home run to center field.

Just like that the Blue Jays had the frustrating 8-7 lead, and the Phillies could not muster another comeback in the ninth inning.

The Phillies just need to find a way to win at home. They still hold a three-game lead in the division because the Mets lost to the Orioles yesterday, but if they could just manage to play .500 ball at home, the cushion in the division would be much more comfortable.