SAN FRANCISCO — The Phillies’ bullpen could not hold a one-run lead in the seventh inning and the team suffered its 27th loss in the last 34 games on Friday night.
The Phils lost 5-4 after the San Francisco Giants rallied for four runs in the seventh inning.
Brandon Belt had the big hit in the inning for the Giants, a three-run double against lefty Elvis Araujo. The Giants added another run in the inning to go up, 5-2. The Phillies rallied for two runs in the eighth, but left the bases loaded in coming up short.
The Phillies have fallen to 31-44. The Giants lead the NL West at 48-27.
The Giants have sold out 444 consecutive games.
Starting pitching report
Any doubt that Zach Eflin’s spot in the rotation was safe was erased as the right-hander pitched six innings and gave up just one unearned run. Eflin scattered five hits, walked none and struck out one. He left with a one-run lead.
Since being tagged for nine runs in 2 2/3 innings in his major-league debut at Toronto, Eflin has pitched 11 2/3 innings and given up just two earned runs in two starts.
Giants starter Jake Peavy allowed two runs over seven innings for the win.
Bullpen report
Phillies manager Pete Mackanin bypassed struggling veteran David Hernandez and handed a 2-1 lead to Severino Gonzalez in the bottom of the seventh. Gonzalez allowed a ground-ball base hit. Mackanin went to Araujo and the Giants countered with pinch-hitter Buster Posey. He hit a playable liner to center field but it clanged off lunging Odubel Herrera’s glove for a single. After a sacrifice bunt and a walk, Belt broke the game wide open.
Giants reliever Cory Gearrin allowed two inherited runners to score, but managed to preserve the Giants' lead and leave the bases loaded in the eighth.
Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla got the final three outs. Casilla loaded the bases with two outs before retiring Tyler Goeddel to end the game.
At the plate
Ryan Howard started at first base and drove in the Phillies’ first run with a double. Herrera drove in the Phillies’ second run with a sacrifice fly. Freddy Galvis had an RBI single in the eighth.
Maikel Franco doubled and tripled.
The Phillies had six extra-base hits. Five came with the bases empty.
The Phils left 11 men on base.
Belt had two hits and three RBIs for the Giants. Angel Pagan had three hits and two RBIs.
In the field
Howard made an error at first base on the first ball the Giants put in play and it led to an unearned run.
Howard made a second fielding error later in the game. It would have resulted in a run if shortstop Freddy Galvis hadn't made a terrific charging play with a man on third to end the inning.
Transactions
Reliever Andrew Bailey went on the disabled list and Edubray Ramos was called up to the majors for the first time (see story).
Vince Velasquez is ready to return to the rotation early next week. Who will he replace? (see story).
Up next
Jeremy Hellickson (4-6, 4.41) opposes Madison Bumgarner (8-3, 1.85) on Saturday night.