PHILADELPHIA — As the Phillies took their positions and made a few warmup throws before the sixth inning Thursday night, Nick Castellanos squatted in right field, alone with his thoughts.
There was a lot to consider. His 10-pitch duel with Houston Astros starter Justin Verlander. Another game without much thunder from the Phillies’ power-packed offense. A World Series that felt as if it was slipping away.
And now, after a cuticle-chomping 3-2 loss in Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies must chew on this: Unless they win back-to-back games this weekend in Houston, their magic-carpet ride of a postseason will end with a National League pennant but also the emptiness of not being able to etch their names alongside the World Series victors of 1980 and 2008.
