Someone Else Did The Work For Me

I've been meaning to compile a list of games the Phils blew that could wind up biting us in the ass come the end of the season. Well, someone did the work for me. Thanks, to the good people at the Gloucester Co. Times. Enjoy:

As the Phillies struggle against time, trailing both the New York Mets in the National League East Division standings and the San Diego Padres in the wild card race, each loss becomes more excruciating and each day without gaining ground more critical.

On Wednesday night, the Phillies were tied late in a game at St. Louis and the Padres were trailing Pittsburgh. If the Phillies could pull out a win and the Pirates held on, San Diego's lead in the wild card race would shrink to a half-game.

Instead, the Phillies lost in 10 innings and San Diego's Scott Hairston hit a three-run, two-out walk-off homer as the Padres won 5-3. It was the Padres' second game in a week which they won after being down to their final out.

Another game back in the standings for the Phillies. Another day closer to missing the playoffs.

As critical as the two-game swing was, it certainly becomes magnified by the date on the calendar. A similar swing in June would have drawn less attention, but in the long run would be no less costly.

Each win and each loss only count once, whether they occur in April or September. This isn't old-school "Family Feud," where you can lose the first two games but make it up when the money is tripled in the final game.

"Come back to me after the season," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel recently. "We'll go over the schedule, and I'll show you 75 or 80 reasons we lost."

When Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand fielded an umpteenth question about the big Mets series in August, he continued to reiterate how all series are big. San Diego manager Bud Black expressed the same sentiments when his team was in town to face the Phillies for three.

That being said, here's 10 games the Phillies not only could have won, but should have won, and didn't this season.

9-8 at Atlanta, Sept. 5

I've been watching Phillies baseball for almost 30 years. This qualified as one of the top two or three losses I've ever seen.

The Phillies held an 8-2 lead in the eighth. Tom Gordon gave up four flare hits and four runs in the eighth as the Braves closed the gap to 8-6.

But Brett Myers got the first two outs in the ninth and the Phillies appeared to be in good shape. Two infield singles one which Myers fielded on one hop but didn't have time to make a good throw and a walk loaded the bases. Then reserve outfielder Chris Roberson, playing too shallow, had Matt Diaz's long fly ball clip off his glove as all three runs scored to end the game.

7-6 at Florida, Sept. 2

The Phillies had a 5-0 lead against the faltering Fish, but Adam Eaton let the game get away from him.

Down two runs, the Phillies rallied in the ninth but Jayson Werth was called out on a 3-2 pitch off the plate, and Jimmy Rollins took five straight balls two of which were called strikes before flying out with the bases loaded to end the game.

4-3 vs. San Diego, Aug. 25

Remember two years ago when Billy Wagner gave up a three-run homer in the ninth to Craig Biggio in game against Houston? And how the Astros beat the Phillies by one game for the wild card.

Well, this game could have the same effect. The Phillies had a 2-1 lead in the eighth, but Gordon gave up an eighth-inning home run and Myers allowed two bombs in the ninth as the Padres won, 4-3.

The Phillies have been chasing the Padres ever since.

6-5 at Milwaukee, Aug. 4

The Phillies held a 5-1 lead behind ace Cole Hamels, but the Brewers scored three runs, all of which reached on infield singles, to pull within one at 5-4.

Then Gordon threw a horrendous two-out, two-strike fastball to Prince Fielder which the Brewers first baseman jacked into the right-field stands for a two-run go-ahead homer in the eighth.

Taking the sting off this loss was the Phillies' rally from a five-run ninth-inning deficit to win in extra innings the next day.

8-4 at Pittsburgh, Aug. 19

Kyle Lohse held a 4-0 lead with one on and two outs in the bottom of the seventh. A Jose Bautista base hit put two runners on and probably should have brought Manuel out of the dugout.

But Manuel watched as Lohse walked Josh Phelps to load the bases.

Manuel stayed put and Lohse gave up a three-run double to Matt Kata. The manager eventually emerged, calling for J.C. Romero, but Nate McLouth singled to right to tie the game.

Antonio Alfonseca came in and allowed a go-ahead double to Freddy Sanchez and two more runs as the Phillies gave up seven runs in the inning.

7-6 vs. Washington, July 26

The Phillies had a 5-2 lead with two outs in the seventh, but Romero allowed a two-run single. With two outs in the eighth, Jesus Flores hit a three-run homer off Mike Zagurski and the Nationals went on to a 7-6 win.

This was also the game where Chase Utley suffered a broken hand when hit by a John Lannan pitch.

5-4 at Houston, July 3

Leading by a run in the ninth inning, Phillies reliever Antonio Alfonseca induced an apparent game-ending double play ball off the bat off Carlos Lee.

Only first base umpire Lance Barksdale called Lee safe at first. Replays clearly showed Lee was out.

The missed call tied the game and the Astros went on to win in extra innings.

2-1 at Cincinnati, April 20

Buoyed by a strong start from Jon Lieber, the Phillies took a 1-0 lead into the ninth. Gordon, who was pitching hurt, recorded the first two outs in the ninth, but Scott Hatteberg hit a game-tying home run and the Reds went on to win in 10. The Phillies dropped to a season-low 4-11.

3-2 vs. Atlanta, April 4

Cole Hamels was brilliant in his first start of what became an All-Star season. The Phillies took a 2-0 lead into the ninth, but Gordon gave it up on four pitches with a base hit and Brian McCann homer as the Braves won in extras.

4-2 vs. Atlanta, April 2

Myers, the Opening Day starter, was dominant and held a 3-2 lead with two outs in the eighth. But he tried to overthrow a two-strike fastball to Edgar Renteria, who took Myers deep to tie the game and Atlanta won in 10.

If the Phillies had won even half of the 10 games that got away, they'd be 3 1/2 up in the division and wild card right now. Their inclusion in the postseason would be considered a lock.

The September loss might sting a little more, but the April game that got away looms just as large.