Sept. 26 -- BROKEN RECORD

Starting pitcher puts the Phillies in an early hole. League-leading Phillies offense battles back to seize the lead. Bullpen is unable to hold it.

Sound familiar?

What happened to the Phillies in last night's 10-6 loss to the Braves is exactly what has happened to them so often this season. And, if they don't make the playoffs, they can point to their pitching staff, which let them down on so many nights like this.

The Phillies hit four homers -- Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth and Chase Utley -- and it wasn't enough thanks to Jamie Moyer and Geoff Geary, who coughed up a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning. Moyer, typically a clutch September pitcher (39-33, 3.90 ERA in his career entering last night), had put the Phillies in a 4-1 bind early. The game story talks about how Moyer & Co. thought they had struck out Mark Teixeira in the first inning only to have Teixeira crush a three-run homer on the next pitch.

Either way, the Phillies will need a better performance from Kyle Lohse tonight, especially since the offense will have to contend with Braves co-ace Tim Hudson. And it doesn't get any easier tomorrow night with John Smoltz on the mound.

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Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. didn't have much to say before the game when I asked him about the news that Pat Gillick plans to retire after next season. You can be sure Amaro hopes the Phillies will eventually appoint him as Gillick's successor. Then again, I'm certain he won't be holding his breath after being passed over in 2005 when Ed Wade got fired.

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Had a chance to talk to Ryan Madson before the game. You haven't heard much about Madson lately because he's been at the Phillies' spring-training facility in Clearwater, rehabbing from a strained muscle in his right shoulder. But Madson is throwing again, off flat ground. He played catch yesterday with pitching coach Rich Dubee, and now, he's trying to convince Dubee and trainer Scott Sheridan that he's ready for a bullpen session. If the Phillies make the playoffs, Madson thinks he'll be ready to pitch.

So, I'll ask you this: Would you put Madson, who hasn't pitched since July 29, on the playoff roster ahead of Antonio Alfonseca or Jose Mesa, relievers who haven't pitched well over the past month?

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Kevin Noonan hammers home the point that it's all about pitching, pitching, pitching.

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At first, Adam Eaton said he was surprised to hear that Padres outfielder Milton Bradley tore his ACL while being restrained by his manager during an argument with an umpire. Then, Eaton remembered this was Bradley, notorious for his fiery temper.

"It just goes to show that emotions can get the best of you," Eaton said. "It's a shame to see, but maybe that's a wakeup call. He's got great talent and ability as good as anyone in the game. But they say your temper can get you in truble."

Still, the Padres won without Bradley on Tuesday night and have a one-game lead on the Phillies and the surging Rockies in the wild-card race. And, don't look now, but the Braves are only two games behind the Phils.

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Check out a photo gallery from last night's game.