Dodgers fall to Phillies, 3-2

That brief National League West lead before the All-Star break appears to be a distant memory for the Dodgers.

Two weeks removed from sitting at the top the division, the Dodgers have fallen two games behind San Francisco with a 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday in front of 32,238 at Dodger Stadium.

The loss was the Dodger’s third in a row and sixth in the last seven games dating back to a four-game trip to Arizona. The Dodgers are sliding down the division standings after holding the lead for a large stretch of the season.

The Dodgers had plenty of chances against the Phillies, but they failed to capitalize.

Mark Ellis nearly scored in the fourth, but was ruled out after running outside of the base line between third base and home on a fielder’s choice. The Dodgers had him in scoring position with just one out, but failed to generate any runs in the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, with the Dodgers trailing 3-1, Juan Rivera and James Loney were on base with no outs. Rivera subsequently scored from third on a wild pitch, bringing the game within reach.

But that was the closest the Dodgers would get. Phillies starter Joe Blanton retired the next four batters heading into the ninth. Jonathan Papelbon then retired three of four batters in the ninth for his 20th save of the season.

Dodgers starter Nathan Eovaldi pitched five innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs. Three relievers held the Phillies scoreless in four innings.

The Dodgers will try to rebound Tuesday when they continue their three-game series with Philadelphia.

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