In two-thirds of an inning, Bastardo surrendered five runs, the last four on a two-out grand slam off the bat of Brian McCann.
The loss dropped the Phillies 11 games under .500 for the first time since June 2002.
"He definitely has to come through for us," Manuel said of Bastardo. "He's a guy that we need pitching, and that's a role for him. We've got to get him straightened out if possible."
After allowing the first two Atlanta hitters to reach in the inning, Bastardo looked poised to wiggle out of the jam. He retired the next two batters and ran the count against Chipper Jones to 1-2.
Just one strike away from ending the inning, catcher Carlos Ruiz trotted to the mound for a quick visit with his pitcher. Bastardo then slung three straight pitches out of the zone, and Jones walked to load the bases. Then, Bastardo walked Freddie Freeman on five pitches as Matt Diaz jogged home to give Atlanta the first lead of the game.
"I don't command my fastball," Bastardo said, "and my fastball is the best weapon that I have."
McCann followed by cracking the game open. With an 0-1 count, the Braves catcher belted the ball over the center-field wall. Shane Victorino climbed the wall, desperate to keep the game tight, but he could only hang from the fence as he watched the ball die near the ivy on the other side.
Bastardo then walked off the mound, shoulders crumpled, as fans serenaded him with jeers. When he entered, the noise pouring from the seats sounded much more hopeful. With Bastardo jogging from the bullpen, Phillies fans applauded Kendrick after a strong effort that seemed to throw the disappointment of June behind him.
Kendrick gave the Phillies seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and one walk against five strikeouts. Only once did Atlanta put a runner in scoring position against Kendrick, and never did the pitcher look out of control like he did in his last start on June 28, when he coughed up five runs against the first six Pirates' hitters.
In Kendrick's previous five starts, he went 0-4 and held an 8.33 ERA. But Kendrick was matched Friday by Atlanta's starter, Tim Hudson. He also pitched seven scoreless innings, also giving up four hits and one walk.
The Phillies had chances, though. In the second, sixth and seventh innings, they stranded runners in scoring position. Howard, who finished the game 2 for 4, was twice stranded at second base.
But the Phillies were still in the game going into the eighth inning. Then, Bastardo entered. A crack appeared.
Contact Tyler Jett at 215-854-4550 or tjett@phillynews.com
