Phils' late rally not enough vs. Padres

07/19/2006
SAN DIEGO -- The handful of stragglers through the visitors' clubhouse were understandably quiet after Tuesday's 10-6 loss to San Diego at PETCO Park, barely lifting their heads, let alone making eye contact with each other.
For a few moments, the only audible sound was the season's clock ticking.
"When you see Atlanta winning, and the Mets are well ahead of us," said manager Charlie Manuel, "we can't be losing ground. We can't lose too many more."
The Phillies really can't lose any more if they're to keep their flickering postseason hopes alive. The latest defeat dropped them 13 1/2 behind the Mets. They're six games behind in the more forgiving Wild Card race, though they trail a daunting eight other teams.
"We have to block [the standings] out," Chase Utley said. "Every day is a new day. Every day, we have to find a way to win. When that game is over, win or lose, tomorrow is a new day."
The loss eliminates Philadelphia's chance to win a third straight series and drops its second-half mark to 2-3. At 42-50, the Phillies are in danger of falling to a season-low 10 games below .500.
Ryan Madson's trend of alternating between a good start and a bad start ended in a bad way when the righty had a second straight bad outing. Having followed up a bad start with a good start since rejoining the rotation on June 2, Madson (8-7) was due for a good outing.
He shattered that trend in a big way, allowing seven runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Mike Cameron started the charge for the Padres with a two-run homer in the first, and Mike Piazza added a solo shot in the fourth. Just when it seemed like he settled in, the Padres erupted for four runs in the sixth, chasing Madson.
"Usually, I have an answer for you, but I really don't know," Madson said, clearly frustrated. "In the later innings, I fell out of rhythm."
Adrian Gonzalez still has plenty of rhythm, punching an RBI double in that sixth inning, one of his three hits.
"It was very important," said Gonzalez, of the sixth-inning rally. "It was a one-run game at the time, and I went out there thinking, 'Try to get on base any way possible.' He's a great pitcher, and I just tried to keep fouling pitches off until I got something more comfortable."
Clay Hensley (6-6) went the first six innings and left with a 7-2 lead, then the Padres bullpen nearly evened the score, mimicking the Phillies relievers from the night before -- when they coughed up a three-run lead.
Doug Brocail allowed the first three Phillies to reach. The third hit extended Chase Utley's hitting streak to 20 games and plated two runs.
Alan Embree relieved and surrendered an RBI double to Bobby Abreu, but Cla Meredith rescued the 'pen. The Phillies cut the deficit to one off Scott Linebrink in the eighth and had to be motivated for Trevor Hoffman in the ninth.
"Hell's Bells" never played, though, because the Padres pulled away with a three-run eighth inning off Arthur Rhodes.
"We were right back in that game," Utley said. "We're all frustrated. We're working hard, getting some big hits and making some good pitches. For some reason, we can't get it going. It's a tough loss."
A tough loss in what has become a tough season.

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/