Philllies lose and fall 6 games back, the farthest out they've been since Sept. 2007

PHILADELPHIA — Charlie Manuel keeps saying his team needs to win series.

What he'd surely like to follow that with would be, "Any day now guys."

With their 7-5 loss to the Braves on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies have now lost their last three series and fell six games behind first-place Atlanta, making it the farthest back they've been since being 6 1/2 out on Sept. 13, 2007.

With the NL-Central leading Reds coming to town for four games and them having just taken two of three from the Phillies from June 28-30, nothing's getting easier.

The Phillies more than tripled their hit total from Tuesday night, but pitcher Jamie Moyer blew up in the sixth inning.

After giving up just one run and two baserunners through 5 1/3 innings, the veteran lefty allowed six consecutive hitters to reach base.

The implosion consisted of six runs, five hits, including two home runs and a pair doubles, and a walk.

By the time it was over, the Braves had taken a 7-3 lead.

Moyer had had success against Atlanta this season. He was 2-0 and hadn't surrendered an earned run in 15 innings.

But in years past, Moyer struggled against the Braves. He entered Wednesday's game with a career 6-9 mark and a 4.76 ERA. That's the Moyer that pitched in the sixth.

The Phillies picked away at Atlanta's lead and had the go-ahead run at the plate by the eighth inning.

Greg Dobbs started the two-out rally with a base hit and moved to third when pinch hitter Ross Gload singled up the middle. Ben Francisco worked a seven-pitch at-bat, before delivering a pinch-hit RBI single that brought the Phillies within two runs.

But Manuel's hands were tied when eight-hole hitter Juan Castro was due up. Castro entered the game in the top of the seventh as part of a double-switch, and with no one left to play second base, Manuel had to leave Castro in there.

Castro, though, popped out to end the inning, leaving two runners on, including the tying run.

At least the bullpen did their thing.

Danys Baez, Nelson Figueroa and Jose Contreras combined to put 3 2/3 scoreless innings.

DINGERS: RHP Ryan Madson is expected to be activated Thursday. The club will then have to make a move on their 25-man roster. … Carlos Ruiz caught seven innings and was 0-for-2 with a walk for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. … Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Greg Dobbs all had two hits.

The Morning Call