Of course, it is only one game, but it is one of those crushing defeats that haunt you.
Braves now have won 8 in a row and are hot. This is the game the Phillies needed to win and should have won. Win the next two and it still is a game that they should have won.
But it is a long season and all seasons have game like this. Just don't let this happen too often.
Phillies now fall 2.5 games behind the Braves.
I feel sorry for Neris. While he did allow the runs, he had a couple bad breaks on balls that some outfielders might have gotten to for outs. McCutchen is missed in the field as well as with the bat. Neris has been extremely good this season and should bounce back fine. Neris was one strike away from the save with Riley and with McCann. Unable to get that strike either time tonight, but he has gotten it most of the time this year.
The bullpen has been devastated and there are still six (down from seven) on the IL that figured to be in that bullpen coming into spring training. Getting a couple of them back can only help win games like this.
Definitely need a win or two before we leave Atlanta.