Cole Hamels gave up four runs to the Cardinals in the fourth inning including a three run home run by Joe Mather.  Hamels was touched for another run in the fifth as Ryan Ludwick took him deep to left field.   All tolled Hamels pitched six innnings and gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits.  It was his second subpar performance in a row.

The Phillies fought back to within a 5-3 score as they scored three times in the sixth inning.  The highlight of the inning was a two run home run by Pat Burrell, his 27th of the season.   That score held till the Cardinals eighth when Ryan Ludwick blasted his second home run of the game (25th of year) off of Ryan Madson to give the Cards a three run lead.

Jason Isringhausen recorded the final four outs to earn his 12th save of the season.   The Marlins and Mets also lost so the Phillies maintained the same lead that they started the game with in regards to the Eastern division.

Chatter

Apparently the Phillies were close to making a deal for a starting pitcher prior to the deadline, it was a three team deal which fell through when the third partner backed out.  Speculation is that pitcher was Bronson Arroyo of the Reds.  Hamels had difficulty in this one getting the ball down and was hurt on high strikes, hopefully he can bounce back in his next start, pitching up in the zone leaves his changeup very receptive to being hit hard!  So Taguchi got a standing ovation from the Cardinal fans when he pinch hit for Hamels, Taguchi did a great job for St. Louis when he was a member of their team and the Card fans showed alot of class in their greeting.