Phillies Lose Their Fourth Straight Game

With tonight’s 5-2 loss, the Phillies dropped their second straight to the Washington Nationals. Their fourth consecutive loss drops them two games below .500. Just when it seemed like the Phillies turned things around, they go back to their losing ways.

HALLADAY NOT HIS BEST

–Roy Halladay struggled through six innings. He allowed five earned runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck out six, but he surrendered two home runs.

-The month of May hasn’t been pretty for Doc. In 33.1 innings, Halladay has given up 40 hits. In five starts, he has allowed 20 earned runs. That’s a 5.40 ERA in the month of May.

-Halladay’s ERA is now 3.58 this season. At the end of May in 2007, Halladay had an ERA of 3.90: that would be the last time Halladay had an ERA this high through the first two months of the season.

BIG THIRD INNING FOR NATS

-Halladay ran into most of his trouble during the third inning, where he allowed four earned runs. Jordan Zimmermann and Steve Lombardozzi led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Bryce Harper continued to hurt the Phillies, smacking a triple over Shane Victorino‘s head. Two runs scored on the play, giving the Nationals the lead. Harper would then show off his speed by scoring on a sacrifice fly.

-Harper wasn’t the only one who hurt Halladay that inning; Ian Desmond topped off the inning with a solo-shot to left.

GAME NOTES

–Carlos Ruiz was ejected in the third inning after arguing balls and strikes. Ruiz didn’t appear heated at first, as it looked like he just turned around to ask umpire Gary Cederstrom where the pitch was. Ruiz remained in his catcher’s crouch during the conversation, but eventually the home plate umpire had enough and tossed Ruiz.

The ejection appeared out of line, as the conversation didn’t look too intense. Then again, it is unknown what words were exchanged between the two.

In Ruiz’s defense, the umpire did seem to be squeezing the strike zone all night.