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Before the match, Gabe Kapler spoke of the importance of going out and setting the tone for the second half of the season in the first match of the all-star break.
It was not the kind of tone he was considering.
The Phillies' six-week plunge continued Friday night in a 4-0 loss to the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.
Starting pitcher Nick Pivetta conceded two runs in the second run and the Phils, who had eight hits but one goal for extra goals, did not answer their questions. Washington striker Stephen Strasburg, who has 13-2 in his career against the Phils.
"It's certainly not like we wanted to start the second half," Kapler said. "I also recognize that it's a game."
The slip has been going on for more than one game.
The loss was the 22nd of the Phils in the last 36 games as they went from first place to third place in the National League.
Meanwhile, the Nationals, who have already beaten the Phillies 10 games in the division, have a record of 29-11 against 11 since May 24. They have a lead of one and a half match on the Phils for second place. Atlanta, who played a game late in San Diego, went into the night ahead of the division by six games against the Nats.
"I think that as a team, as a group, when you do not play well, when you do not play the ball well, when you do not hit well, you will not win a match." said Bryce Harper. "So, I think that as a team, as an organization, the guys we have here, of course, we should win baseball games.
"But as I said, if you do not hit well, you do not hit in time or something, you will not win a match."
The pursuit of the slide placed Kapler and his team of coaches under the heat lamp.
Before the match, the club's president, Andy MacPhail, had been questioned about Kapler's job security and his staff.
"For me, honestly, I hate to even give an answer to this question," said MacPhail. "We are in the playoffs today, if the season was over. To suggest for a moment that there is something missing at the level of leadership, the level of coaches, I simply do not believe it.
The Phillies (47-44) are on their seven most important days of the season: a three-game visit from Washington followed by a four-game visit from the Dodgers, who have the best baseball record.
MacPhail does not believe that the Phillies are close enough to a global series to unveil the team's prospects in the high-level trades. (see the story)but the club could still use well-paying players and make other contracts if it can turn things around in the short term. It will not be easy against the Nationals and the Dodgers.
"It's their decision," Harper said of the front office approach to the trade deadline. "It's their job to do. It's our job to play baseball well and push them a little further if we can do it. "
The offensive and the office have had tough times – and the offensive has failed again Friday night – but starting to launch is the biggest weakness and need of this team. Pivetta lasted only five innings, threw 87 shots and granted three points.
"I just did not think he was able to run enough throws to get to the bottom of the game for us," Kapler said.
Pivetta is 1-7 with a points average against 10-10 for the national career.
"I have struggled a lot with them," said Pivetta. "Even though I gave up three runs, it's a ton less than I gave up this year, so I can take a lot of positives. It could have become a much worse baseball game.
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