They can take solace in knowing this: Their group of seven relievers is not nearly as bad as Arizona's. The Phillies tagged the Diamondbacks' bullpen for five runs.
Coupled with Atlanta's loss to Washington, the Phillies are 31/2 games behind the Braves in the NL East, the closest they've been since June 30. It's the longest winning streak of the season for the Phillies, who are peaking at such a crucial time with key decisions to be made before Saturday's deadline.
But those decisions may have been complicated even further when centerfielder Shane Victorino left tonight's game with strained muscle in his left side in the seventh inning. The severity of the injury was not immediately known. Victorino will be further evaluated by team doctors Wednesday.
If Victorino is significantly hurt, it could change everything for the Phillies. Jayson Werth, the subject of constant trade rumors, would almost certainly remain a Phillie. (Although even before the injury to Victorino, the Phillies appeared to have softened their stance on moving Werth.) And it could force the Phillies to summon top prospect Domonic Brown from triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies are already without shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who bruised his left foot Monday and could miss the next few games. By the seventh inning tonight, Manuel had used his entire bench, with the exception of backup catcher Brian Schneider.
For now, at least, the Phillies can bask in the fact that they are winning games even when not at their best. Cole Hamels needed 108 pitches to complete just five innings. The Phillies left the bases loaded twice in the first three innings. And Ryan Howard made an error that led to a Diamondbacks run in the sixth.
A week ago, that would have been too much for the Phillies to overcome.
