The Phillies have now lost their fourth game in a row, as well as their fourth straight series, as Brett Myers loses once again as he gives up three more home runs for his league leading twenty-first through -third home run as the Phils’ lose, 6-2. Two of the home runs that were given up by Myers went to Phillies’ killer Vladimir Guerrero. The first one was hit in the fourth inning, for his twelfth home run of the year to give the Angels a quick 1-0 lead. The second one would be hit in the seventh, for his thirteenth home run of the year, to make it 2-0 Angels. In between, Myers and Angels’ starter Joe Saunders would be involved in a pitchers’ duel, with Myers keeping the Angels’ bats off-balance with his curveball and change up, while Saunders would keep the Phils’ off the basepath. The Phillies would then tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, when, with two outs, Jayson Werth would hit his tenth home run of the season to make the score 2-1 Angels. After Chris Coste gets on base with a walk, Pedro Feliz would hit a RBI double, scoring Coste, tying the game at two all. Eric Bruntlett would follow with a single to center, but Feliz is held up at third by the third base coach, not realizing that Gary Matthews Jr. would bobble the ball in center field, nor that his throw towards home would be offline and then be cut off by the first baseman. Casey Kotchman would then throw the ball to second to cut down Bruntlett, who has been running towards second, believing that the ball has gone to home plate, who would then be tagged out by shortstop Erick Aybar. But, Myers would be unable to keep it tied in the eighth, as, with two men out, and a runner on first, would give up his third home run of the night, a two-run shot to Aybar, his second home run of the year, scoring Chone Figgins, who has earlier got on base with a single, making it 4-2 Angels. The Angels would then add a couple of insurance runs in the ninth, as with one out, Matthews Jr., who has reached base after being hit by the pitch, would score on a Juan Rivera fielder’s choice ground out, giving the Angels a 5-2 lead. Figgins would then hit a RBI single, scoring Jeff Mathis, making it 6-2 Angels. The Phillies would then attempt a comback in their half of the ninth as their first two men would get on base via walks. But the Angels would then send in Francisco Rodriquez, who would get the final three outs via a double play ground ball and a pop out, to record his twenty-ninth save of the season.

Brett Myers would take the lost as he goes seven and two-thirds innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits while striking out seven, as he pitches a good game until he ran into trouble in the eighth. His record is now 3-9 with a ERA of 5.51. J.C. Romero would pitch a third of an inning in relief, giving up no runs on no hits. Chad Durbin would pitch an inning, giving up two earned runs on one hit. Joe Saunders would get the victory as he pitches seven innings, giving up only two earned runs on five hits. Scot Shields would pitch an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. Jose Arredondo would only face two batters, walking both. Francisco Rodriguez would go an inning, giving up no runs on no hits, as he records his twenty-ninth save of the season

The Phillies have now lost their fourth straight game and their fourth straight series as their lead in the National League shrinks down to one game. The offense seems to have been put on hold while Myers is still giving up gopher balls in the games that he starts which is killing him, despite him pitching a whole lot better than he has in his last few games. It seems to me that Charlie Manuel needs to call a team meeting and read these guys the riot act, just do something to get the bat smoking once again, else they are soon going to be seeing the young Marlins running in front of them and not following them in their rear view mirror.

The Phillies’ (42-34) weekend series with the Angels (45-30, 1st American League West) will end tomorrow afternoon. The game will start at 1:35 pm at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils will be sending to the mound their ace Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.23), who is coming off of his excellent outing against the BoSox on June 16, where he would pitch seven innings, giving up only two runs on seven hits in the Phillies’ 8-2 victory. He will be trying to end the Phils’ present four game losing streak as he goes for a team leading eighth victory of the year. The Angels will send to the mound Jered Weaver (6-7, 4.73), who is coming off a lost to the Mets on June 16, as he would pitch six and one-third innings, giving up six earned runs on eight hits, in the Angels’ 9-6 lost. He will be trying to even his record while hoping to keep the anxious Phillies’ bats quiet.

The Phillies’ lead over the Marlins is now down to one game as they won their game with the Athletics. The Phillies are still leading the Mets by four and a half games, as they lost to the Rockies. Their lead over the Braves is now down to five games, thanks to the Braves’ victory over the Mariners. The Phillies will be trying to regain their winning way while trying to leave for Oakland on a positive note.