Phillies bullpen fails them in 4-3 loss to Giants

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The usually reliable bullpen came up short today for the Phillies, failing to protect a one run lead in the later innings. Adam Eaton started the game and had major control issues, walking 5 batters in 5 innings, but he managed to keep most of the damage off the scoreboard, holding the Giants to just two runs. With the Phillies up 3-2 in the sixth inning, the game was turned over to the bullpen that has been lights out all season. It wasn't the case tonight. Chad Durbin pitched a scoreless sixth but J.C. Romero, who entered the game with a 0.60 ERA, gave up a two-run home run to Giants rookie Steve Holm (who??). That was all the runs the Giants needed and they went on to win the game 4-3.

Offensively the Phillies were unable to capitalize on the wildness of Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez, who walked five batters. Their first run came in the 4th inning when Sanchez walked Adam Eaton with the bases loaded. It was a little redemption for Eaton who walked Randy Johnson with the bases loaded on four straight pitches last week. Ryan Howard then hit a rare triple, the fourth of his career, to drive in another run before coming home on a Pat Burrell sacrifice fly.

Losing two out of three to the Giants gives them an overall record of 3-4 on the West Coast swing. After earning a split with the Diamondbacks, it's disappointing to not be able to win a series with the lowly Giants who might sport the worst lineup in baseball. The loss also drops the Phillies back into a tie for second place with the Mets. The Phillies will now head back home, and after an off day tomorrow they will face the Braves for the first time this season.

Ryan Howard's fourth career triple: