The infield dirt returned to its pristine look Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park after being blowtorched two days earlier, but the home team was burned again as the Phillies season seems to be melting away.
The Phillies have lost nine of their last 11 games after being swept by the Nationals. They trail Atlanta by 7 1/2 games with 17 to play after the Braves won yet again Wednesday. The Phillies are listless, and the only thing that makes this feel like 2007 is the deficit they face. A rally this season would be even more surprising than the one the team made 11 years ago.