Phils Fall to Nats

Ryan Madson was tagged for 2 runs in the top of the 8th as the Nationals came from behind to beat the Phillies by a score of 4 -3. With the Phils loss and a Mets win (over the Braves), the Phils now fall 2.5 games behind the Mets in NL East.

The game began as a pretty good pitchers duel between Jamie Moyer and Tim Redding, who has pitched pretty well in 4 starts this year against the Phils. Washington drew first blood against the Phils in the 6th on a Chase Utley throwing error. Utley did manage to get the run back, with an RBI single to center to tie the game at 1. The Nats tacked on another run in the top of the 7th, chasing Moyer, who gave up only 5 hits.

The bottom of the 7th featured Shane Victorino getting on base with an infield hit and advancing to 3rd on a two base error. Dobbs chased Victorino home on a groundout, setting the stage for Carlos Ruiz. Carlos Ruiz, the author of more key ground outs than any man in major league baseball, managed to hit his 3rd homerun of the year to put the Phils ahead 3 - 2 in the bottom of the 7th. The lead evaporated however, in the 8th, when Ryan Madson gave up a couple of fluky hits and leading to 2 runs and the difference in the ballgame.

The Phils now welcome the Dodgers to Philly for a 4 game set.

Notes:

- Great play by Anderson Hernandez to save a run in the 7th on Greg Dobbs' chopper that drove in Shane Victorino. It saved a run, because it occurred just before Ruiz's homer.

- Jimmy Rollins (another collar last night) needs to sit down for a day or two. Rollins' problems offensively are so beyond hope right now, and with the crowd still letting him have it, I can't believe Charlie Manual is still running him out at the leadoff spot.

- Ryan Madson.....thought he pitched OK but had a bit of bad luck.