Red October? How about red-faced mid-September

How’s this for bad karma, Phils’ fans?

Not only did your Fightin's flop yesterday, losing both ends of a day-night doubleheader, they also had a injury added to insult. Hunter Pence now has a balky knee as he battles some patellar tendinitis. He’s due for an MRI today.

And there is this unsettling bit of history. It was on this date (Sept. 21) in 1964 that Chico Ruiz stole home, giving the Reds a 1-0 win over the Phils, who went into a tailspin, losing 10 straight, coughing up the National League pennant, and leaving an imprint on Philly sports fans that many have never recovered from.

We don’t have to worry about that. The Phillies have clinched the NL East crown and home-field advantage through the playoffs.

But you have to be a bit concerned about the way they are playing, especially their slumbering bats. They even threw in three errors in an uncharacteristic sloppy day at Citizens Bank Park.

They got solid outings yesterday from Kyle Kendrick (who is quietly putting together a solid season) and Cliff Lee, and only have two losses to show for it.

Red October is still coming. But right now the Phils are giving us a red-faced mid-September.

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