•They've lost all four of their extra-inning games, something they haven't done since the 2007 season.
•The Phils have scored three runs or fewer in 15 of their 28 games (53.8 percent of their games) and are only 3-12 in those games. In 2008, they scored three runs or fewer only 23 times in 162 games (14 percent of their games).
•Late comebacks have not been their thing. They are 0-10 when they trail after seven innings.
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•In five games this month, the Phillies are 2-3. They haven't had a losing record in the month of May since 2002 when they were 12-14. They've won at least 15 games in May in each of the last eight seasons and overall during that stretch, are 132-98 (.574), giving them the majors' second-best winning percent. Only the Red Sox have a better winning percent in the last eight Mays (138-93, .597).
Floundering 'pen
The Phillies bullpen hasn't done much to help matters in the last week.
In the previous six games in which relievers made appearances from April 29 to May 5 (Joe Blanton pitched a complete-game shutout on May 3), the bullpen posted a 7.08 ERA (16 ER in 20 1/3 IP) and allowed 24 hits.
In those six games, the Phillies were 2-4 and the bullpen was charged with two losses and a blown save.
Results like that won't cut it over the long haul, especially if the offense keeps faltering.
Imagine how frustrating it will be for Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, who could throw seven innings only to have Antonio Bastardo, Chad Qualls, Jose Contreras or Joe Savery muck things up after their departure.
Don't blame first-year closer Jonathan Papelbon. He has three saves in three appearances during the same stretch, with no ERA and 0.33 WHIP. He struck out four, walked one and didn't allow a hit in that stretch.
Overall, Papelbon has saves in all nine chances with a 0.82 ERA. He's given up just one run on six hits and three walks to go with 11 strikeouts in 11 appearances.
Twitter @inthephilshouse
FIRE
Anabal Sanchez (Miami Marlins) … The right-handed starting pitcher has been stellar in his last two outings. In his previous 14.0 innings pitched, he posted a 1.93 ERA. He allowed 10 hits, three earned runs and five walks. His WHIP was just 1.07 and opponents hit only .204 against him and he fanned 19.
ICE
Joe Thole (New York Mets) … The catcher has watched his batting average drop from .367 on April 27 to .280 prior to Saturday's game. In his last six games, the 13th-round pick was 3-for-26 (.115) with only two RBIs and one run scored. He struck out six times during that stretch.
NUMBER
3 … Players currently on MLB rosters ranked in the top 50 all-time highest batting averages: Albert Pujols (.326), Ichiro Suzuki (.325) and Todd Helton (.322).
DID YOU KNOW?
Joe Blanton's complete-game shutout of the Braves was his first as a Phillie. He has a WHIP of 0.67 in his last two games and is a free agent after this season. … The Phillies have six players on the 25-man roster drafted by the organization (Jimmy Rollins, Michael Schwimer, Cole Hamels, Vance Worley, Kyle Kendrick, and Savery). Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Mike Stutes, all on the disabled list, also have been with the Phillies their entire careers. Freddy Galvis and Carlos Ruiz were signed as amateur free agents and have not played for any other MLB team. … Stutes was drafted by the Dodgers (2004) and the Cardinals (2007) but did not sign with him.
CATCHING UP WITH … Vicente Padilla
The former Phillies pitcher is struggling while pitching out of the bullpen for the Red Sox. Padilla (1-0) has an 8.38 ERA in nine games (9 2/3 IP) with Boston. He's allowed 12 hits and four walks and has struck out 11. During his stint with the Phillies from 2000-05, the right-hander was 49-49 with a 3.98 ERA in 162 games, 111 of which he started.
