Stop me if you’ve heard this: The bullpen sucks.

But so do the bats, at times. After Corey Dickerson kicked things off with a solo home run against Mike Leake, the Phillies recorded a total of 11 hits and 14 baserunners through the first six innings. But they only scored three runs. That doesn’t sound good.

Jake Arrieta went five innings and gave up two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. He left the game with the lead. That’s where the bullpen came in and gave up six runs in the remaining three innings as the Phillies fell to the Diamondbacks 8-4.

Ranger Suarez was credited with the loss after giving up a pair of runs in only 1/3 of an inning. Blake Parker gave up three runs in the seventh.

As Bob mentioned in his recap, it was the seventh time the Phils failed to reach seven games above .500 since June 19. That is not a good thing, especially with the wild card race heating up. Washington is a game ahead of the Phils for the top spot, but Philly is a half-game ahead of St. Louis for the second spot. Milwaukee is still one-game back, but the Mets have surged to a game and a half back and have won 12 of their last 13.


The series concludes tonight at 9:40 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia, as Jason Vargas takes the mound against Zac Gallen.

In uniform news, the Phillies unveiled their Players Weekend all-black set.

The Roundup:


We’re gonna have some Eagles preseason football tomorrow as they host the Titans. If you’re not excited for that, you’re not a true Philly sports fan. Those are the rules.

Head coach Doug Pederson says he hasn’t decided if Carson Wentz will play tomorrow night. Or has he and just didn’t tell the media? Hmm.

Joe Ostman is done for the season after tearing his ACL.

Angelo Cataldi told Eagles Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane his sources stink.


The Flyers, haven’t heard of them in a long time, will play in 20 nationally televised regular season games. I guess when you have that Comcast money, you can do that even if you suck.


In other sports news, Ezekiel Elliott will miss the entire season if he doesn’t get a new contract. You just hate to see it.

The NCAA provided new rules for agents who wish to represent players testing the NBA Draft waters. It includes a Bachelor’s Degree, which many people say is aimed at Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, who didn’t graduate college.

Here’s the first union contract for the main SB Nation writers.


In the news, Ocean City has brought in falcons to set seagulls straight.

Driverless cars are coming to New York City, sort of.