The warts have been there all season.
But when you're 15 games over .500 and in first place, they don't quite stand out as much.
Flip the table, and when you're in the midst of what appears to be a full-blown collapse, they stand out like a sore thumb.
Last night's Phillies game was a rematch of one of the best pitching duels of the season.
Phils' ace Aaron Nola and Max Scherzer did not disappoint.
But neither factored in what turned out to be one of the most agonizing defeats of the summer for the Phils.
It had all the telltale elements that have been there all season, including Nola again outdueling his Cy Young competitor form the Nats.
Nola too a shutout - and the lead - into the seventh. He gave up two runs - only one of which was earned - while scattering four hits and striking out eight.
But then the Phils' trademark sloppiness took over the game.
Carlos Santana threw a ball away.
The bullpen imploded, with Pat Neshek surrendering a two-run homer - and the lead - in the ninth.v
Then came the finishing touch in a classic Phils' miscue.
Pitcher Vince Velasquez was asked to pinch-run in the bottom of the ninth after Wilson Ramos doubled to cut the Nats' lead to a single run. Jorge Alfaro flied to center. Velasquez took third after tagging up. Unfortunately, replay clearly indicated he left the bag too early and he was ruled out.
The Phils are now 6-13 since Aug. 8. They dropped eight of their last 10. The loss drops them four and half games behind the Braves. They're only two and half out of the wild card.
Can they rally? Sure.
Will they? Not if they continue to make these kinds of silly, basic mistakes.
The same ones they've been making all year.
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