Roy Halladay gave up a run in the first inning and after that he was nails. Halladay pitched the first 8 innings in this game and he gave up 6 hits, 1 run (it was earned), 1 walk and he whiffed 7 batters while earning a loss! Ryan Madson worked a scoreless 9th inning, giving up no hits or walks while whiffing 2 batters. Shane Victorino (2 for 3) and Chase Utley (1 for 3) were the whole extent of the Phillies’ offense in this game as the rest of the team was 0 for 24. The Phillies have lost the N.L.D.S. 3 games to 2 to the Brewers.

The Phillies jumped on Edwin Jackson and the Cardinals in the first inning when they jumped to a 2-0 lead. But that was about it offensively for the Phillies last night. Jimmy Rollins stayed red hot at the plate as he was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored in this game. Chase Utley was also excellent with the bat as he was 2 for 3 with a triple, 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Hunter Pence also pitched in as he was 1 for 4 with a RBI. The rest of the batters on the Phillies combined to go 2 for 21 last night. Roy Oswalt didn’t look too good last night as he worked the first six innings of this game, allowing 6 hits and 5 runs (all earned) while whiffing 5 batters and walking only one. He was the losing pitcher. Joe Blanton and Brad Lidge each pitched one scoreless inning of relief to allow the Phillies a chance to come back, which they didn’t do. This series is now tied up at 2 games apiece with a winner take all Game #5 tomorrow night in Philly.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is on fire against the Cardinals in the N.L.D.S. He has played in 3 games for the Phillies so far in this series and he is 7 for 12 (.583 avg, 1.449 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 3 doubles and 2 stolen bases. Rollins has been giving the Phillies a good jolt from the top of the lineup as the Cardinals have been a very serious challenger so far. The Phillies need Rollins to keep up the good work.

The Phillies didn’t do anything with the bats last night until there were two outs and 2 runners on base in the 7th inning. That is when Ben Francisco stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter. He then cranked a 3-run homer off of Jaime Garcia to give the Phillies all the runs they needed last night. Jimmy Rollins (2 for 4 with a double and stolen base), Shane Victorino (1 for 4 with 1 run scored) and Carlos Ruiz (1 for 3 with 1 run scored and a 1 walk) also pitched in offensively for the Phillies last night. Cole Hamels was outstanding, as usual, last night as he worked six shutout innings allowing 5 hits, walking 3 batters and whiffing 8 as he was the winning pitcher. The bullpen made this game really interesting for the Phillies. Vance Worley was first up and he worked the 7th inning, allowing 3 hits, walking 1 batter and giving up 1 run (it was earned). Antonio Bastardo did his job in the 8th inning as he pitched to one batter and he got him out. Brad Lidge followed Bastardo in the game and he didn’t get anyone out while allowing 2 hits. Ryan Madson finished up this game for the Phillies by working the last 1 2/3 innings in which he gave up 2 hits and 1 run (it was earned) as he got the save. The Phillies are now up 2-1 on the Cardinals with Game #4 tonight in St. Louis.

The Milwaukee Brewers battered Cliff Lee last night and the Phillies couldn’t recover from it. Lee pitched 6 innings last night and he gave up 12 hits, 5 runs (all earned), walked 2 batters and he whiffed 9 as he was the losing pitcher. Brad Lidge, Antonio Bastardo, Vance Worley and Ryan Madson combined to work the last 3 innings without giving up any runs. Jimmy Rollins was the leader offensively for the Phillies in this game as he was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 2 doubles and 1 stolen base. Hunter Pence (1 for 3 with 1 run scored and 1 RBI) and Ryan Howard (1 for 4 with 2 RBIs) also pitched in offensively for the Phillies last night. The Phillies and Cardinals are now tied up at 1 game apiece as the series shifts to St. Louis for Games #3 and #4.