A bad loss to the Phillies

The Blue Jays lost 5-4 on Sunday to the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, allowing the struggling world champions to leave town with a rare series victory.

Brian Tallet (5-5) was staked to a 4-1 lead--on two home runs by Aaron Hill (now with 19) and a two-run shot by Jose Bautista--but couldn't hold it.

Meanwhile, the ancient Jamie Moyer (6-6) settled down after the early home runs and managed to pick up the win for the Phillies.

Chan Ho Park pitched two perfect innings against the Blue Jays, who must have felt happy once the Korean reliever was removed from the game.

In the eighth, the Blue Jays loaded the bases against Ryan Madson, but Russ Adams, pinch-hitting for Bautista, popped out to shallow left to end the threat.

In the ninth, the Jays put the first two men on base against Brad Lidge--who came in with a 7.86 ERA--but Hill fouled out for the first out. Pinch runner John McDonald was caught stealing for the second out, and Vernon Wells grounded out to short to end the game.

Lidge, who was making his second apperance since coming off the DL, got save No. 14 in 20 opportunities. Last season, Lidge was perfect in save chances during the entire season and postseason as the Phils wont he World Series.

The Blue Jays were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

On a positive note for the Jays, Hill now has a career-high 19 dingers, breaking the team record for home runs by a second sacker. Hill had hit 17 in 2007, which tied Roberto Alomar's record set in 1993.

Tallet threw 110 pitches, giving the Jays six innings of work. He gave up eight hits, six walks, and struck out six.

The good news is that on Monday, Roy Halladay (10-1, 2.53) will return from his groin injury to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of their big three-game set at Rogers Centre. Tampa Bay jumped ahead of Toronto in the standings with its Sunday win against Florida.

Scott Richmond and Ricky Romero will also start for the Jays in the Tampa series, with Romero getting the Canada Day assignment. Then following an off-day, it will be off to Yankee Stadium for another big four-game series against New York.