SAN DIEGO -- The Phillies blew a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and lost 4-3 to the San Diego Padres on Monday night.
The Padres won it on a bases-loaded RBI single by Kyle Blanks with one out in the bottom of the 10th against Justin De Fratus.
Cliff Lee pitched eight shutout innings and took a 3-0 lead to the mound in the ninth. He allowed a single and a double to open the frame. Both runners then scored on a flare single over shortstop by Blanks against Jonathan Papelbon. The Padres tied the game on a passed ball.
All in all, this was a horrible way to open a 10-game road trip. The Phils are 36-41 overall and 17-23 on the road.
Starting pitching report
Lee pitched eight-plus innings and allowed two runs. Lee was at 109 pitches when he went to the mound in the ninth.
Lee walked one and struck out seven.
He has pitched at least seven innings in 10 straight starts.
San Diego lefty Eric Stults relied on change of speeds in holding the Phils to two runs over seven walk-free innings. He struck out two.
Bullpen report
Papelbon blew his fourth save in eight days. He allowed two inherited runners to score as the Padres cut the Phils' lead to 3-2. He also hit a batter. The Padres scored the tying run on a two-out passed ball charged to catcher Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz could not handle a 2-0 splitter with Mark Kotsay at the plate.
De Fratus allowed two walks and a hit a batter to load the bases for Blanks in the 10th.
Padres’ relievers Luke Gregerson and Joe Thatcher combined on two outs to strand a runner at third in the top of the 10th.
At the plate
John Mayberry Jr. started in center field as Ben Revere was held out of the starting lineup against the lefty Stults. Mayberry scored the Phillies’ first two runs. He reached first on a fielder’s choice in the second inning, stole second and scored on a hit by Ruiz. In the fifth, Mayberry doubled, move up on an infield hit by Ruiz and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jimmy Rollins.
The Phils increased their lead to 3-0 on a solo homer by Chase Utley in the top of the eighth.
Blanks had three RBIs for San Diego.
Howard sore
Ryan Howard did not start because of soreness in his left knee. Howard needs occasional time off for his knee. He is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday night.
Health check
Mike Adams has an important doctor’s appointment on Tuesday. He could be facing season-ending surgery (see story).
Jonathan Pettibone is fine. Roy Halladay is “tossing” (see story).
Up next
Kyle Kendrick (6-4, 3.56) opposes Jason Marquis (9-2, 3.59) on Tuesday night.