Roy Halladay's Cy Young resume took a big hit Monday night as he gave up four runs over eight innings as the Phillies lost to the Cardinals 4-3 in Citizens Bank Park.
Former Phillies Kyle Lohse outpitched Halladay, and the Cardinals held off a late rally by the Phillies to gain ground on Atlanta in the NL wild-card chase.
Lohse (14-8) got in and out of trouble while giving up just one unearned run on seven hits and a walk while striking out five over 7 1/3 innings.
Doc went eight but allowed eight allowing six hits and uncharacteristically walking four while giving up four runs and striking out six.
The loss dropped Halladay to 18-6 and likely put him on the outside looking in on the NL Cy Young Award race which looks like it’s Clayton Kershaw’s to lose.
Lance Berkman homered and had an RBI single for the surging Cardinals, who moved within 2 1/2 games of the wild card-leading Braves. Atlanta lost 6-5 at Florida on Omar Infante's two-run homer off closer Craig Kimbrel with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
St. Louis, which took three of four in the series, has won 10 of 12 overall.
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The defeat prevented the Phightins from clinching home-field advantage throughout the postseason -- at least momentarily. The NL East champions needed just a win or a Milwaukee loss to the Chicago Cubs to wrap up home field.
The Phillies rallied late scoring a pair of runs in the ninth off reliever Jason Motte. Carlos Ruiz doubled with one out and scored on Jimmy Rollins' triple. Rollins scored on Shane Victorino's groundout.
Arthur Rhodes relieved Motte and gave up a two-out single to Chase Utley. Octavio Dotel followed and retired Hunter Pence to earn his second save with the Cardinals this season. He also had one for Toronto this year.
The Phillies lost their second straight since clinching their fifth consecutive NL East title on Saturday. Philadelphia played most of its regulars, with only Ryan Howard getting the day off after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection in his left ankle. Howard is expected to miss a couple of days.
The Phillies (98-54) remained four victories shy of setting a franchise record for wins in a season.
The Phils welcome the Nationals to town for a four-game set to wrap up the regular season at CBP. Righty Kyle Kendrick (8-6, 3.22 ERA) faces lefty Ross Detwiler (2-5, 3.76) in the first game of a day/night doubleheader Tuesday afternoon.
