MAG Surrenders Tenth-Inning HR, Phils Lose 8-6

The Phillies out-hit the A’s thirteen to nine but fell short in the column that counts: runs. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez allowed a tenth-inning Nate Freiman single before Josh Donaldson drove a 94 MPH fastball to center field, ending the game in favor of the Athletics, 8-6.

Byrd Starts Hot

Marlon Byrd doubled in the first inning, scoring Chase Utley. In the top of the third, Byrd would duplicate the feat, driving home both Utley and Ryan Howard. Byrd’s first RBI double gave the Phillies a 1-0 lead while his second double knotted up the game at three apiece. Byrd ended the game 2 for 5 with three RBI and two Ks. With his Ks, Byrd and Howard became the first pair of teammates in history to each reach 180 Ks in a season. (H/t Matt Gelb)

Burnett Remains Ice Cold

A.J. Burnett was awful once again today, going four and a third, giving up six earned via six walks and three hits while striking out six. Burnett avoided his 18th loss of the season but still leads the Majors with 17 losses. Burnett has faced some bad luck as well as bad defense but today’s wounds were self-inflicted.

Phils Can’t Capitalize on Hits, Bullpen Remains Solid.

Ben Revere, Utley, Howard, Byrd, and Cody Asche all had a pair of hits in tonight’s game while Freddy Galvis had an RBI triple in the sixth followed directly by an RBI by Revere to knot things up at six and hang six runs of their own on Athletics starter Scott Kazmir.

Meanwhile, Cesar Jimenez, Luis Garcia, Jake Diekman, and Justin De Fratus combined for four and two-thirds innings pitched with seven strikeouts, three coming from De Fratus. Their positive work was washed away in the tenth when Gonzalez surrendered the walk-off homer.

The Phillies return to action on Tuesday in Miami. Cole Hamels is scheduled to face Henderson Alvarez.