PBR - In a year full of disappointment, Johathan Papelbon entered Thursday night's contest in Citi Field as one of the few bright spots on the Phillies' roster.
Baseball, however, is a fickle game.
Papelbon faced seven batters in the ninth inning, surrendering two runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batsman, allowing the Mets to trump the Phillies, 6-5.
Papelbon allowed a leadoff double to Ike Davis in the final frame.
Ronny Cedeno, inserted as a pinch-runner, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and eventually scored the tying run on a Daniel Murphy shot up the middle that caromed toward the first-base line after hitting Papelbon's left leg.
With the bases still loaded David Wright hit a flare into right field, dropping in front of a diving Hunter Pence to score Jordany Valdespin who reached after being hit by a pitch earlier in the inning.
The loss marked Papelbon's second blown save of the season, but more importantly, cost the Phillies a winnable contest against arguably the best starter in the National League in R.A. Dickey.
The knuckleballer entered tonight's contest with a 12-1 mark and a 2.15 ERA, but the Phillies scored two runs early, thanks to an RBI-single by Shane Victorino in the first and an RBI-double by Jimmy Rollins in the second.
Dickey pitched seven innings, allowing five runs on 11 hits. He struck out seven.
Cole Hamels retired seven of the final eight batters he faced, tossing seven innings while allowing four runs on seven hits, including a pair of home runs. He struck out seven.
The Phillies had plenty of chances to break the game open, but finished 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
Rollins finished the evening with three hits in the losing effort.
The Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park on Friday to host the Atlanta Braves. Kyle Kendrick (2-8, 5.35) is scheduled to start the series opener.
