Unhappy Recap: Phillies 11 Mets 10

Another absolutely horrible devastating loss for a team that is in an incredible tailspin, one from which they may not be able to recover.

El Duque got absolutely creamed giving up three home runs. He never should have been going after Ryan Howard with a base open and the other two home runs were fly ball outs in Shea Stadium but it still counts as 5 runs in 3 innings. But after 9 straight winning starts you can't really expect for more out of him.

But the Mets staged their first great comeback of the game in the 4th. Green came through with a big double and Milledge got a pinch hit single (on a breaking pitch), a huge hit from him.

Then the Mets tied it in the 5th with the help of a bad play by Ryan Howard who fielded a slow roller with his glove and couldn't get it out in time to get Beltran at first. That gave the Mets an extra out which turned Shawn Green's flyball from the third out into a game tying sac fly.

But Aaron Sele gave three runs right back. He'd pitched a good 4th inning but Howard led off the inning with a single. Then with two out Sele made his crucial mistake, by walking Werth. That was followed by three cheap hits (just over the glove of Gotay, right in front of Beltran and a slow roller past Gotay) that created three runs.

In addition the Mets got unlucky a couple other times as the Phillies made two great catches against the wall robbing Conine and Beltran of extra base hits.

Then in the magical 8th inning the Mets finally saw the Phillies bullpen which has been pitching against the rest of the National League all season.

Romero walked Gotay then Alfonseca came in and walked Alou. Then Willie called on Marlon Anderson who doubled to right and is 9 for his last 13. Gary Cohen said he is the best pinch hitter on the planet.

Jose Reyes was intentionally walked to load the bases which was a somewhat curious move considering how badly Reyes had been hitting in this series, plus he represented the go-ahead run. I would have pitched to him.

Endy Chavez came through with a huge two run single to tie the game. It's nice to have him back. He is a great bench player and comes through in the clutch very often.

With Reyes and Chavez on first and second the Mets tried a double steal, Reyes got a huge jump and was in easily, but the throw rolled into left field and Reyes scored to give the Mets their first lead. Alfonseca walked Wright and Mesa walked Beltran to load the bases. Delgado hit a chopper to give the Mets a 2-run lead.

Then Wagner was called on to get a 6 out save for the first time in 8 years. I totally agree with bringing Wagner for the 8th (because Utley and Howard were due up), but I never would have allowed Wagner to pitch the 9th.

Wagner gave up a solo homer to Burrell in the 8th (4th this series, 42nd career) but got out of the inning. It wasn't until the 9th when everything fell apart again for Billy Wagner.

Jayson Werth led off with another bloop single then he stole second and third because Wagner wasn't paying attention to him. Iguchi singled to tie the game then stole second because once again Wagner wasn't holding him close and LoDuca can't throw. That forced the Mets to walk Rollins to create 1st and 2nd for Chase Utley. And Utley of course got the game winning hit.

Billy Wagner has now blown 4 saves this year, 3 in the past two weeks.