ATLANTA — Since Rob Thomson took over as Phillies interim manager in early June, his team has shown an ability to bounce back from even the most soul-crushing losses. Going into their final series before the All-Star break, the Phillies had lost four straight. Then they went to Miami, a place that has given them trouble in the past, and fans expected the worst. But the Phillies swept the Marlins on the road for the time since 2010. Thomson said that three-game sweep set the tone for the rest of the season.
After the All-Star break, the Phillies were swept by the sub-.500 Chicago Cubs at home, but again, they shook off those losses quickly by taking two of three from Atlanta in the next series. They have yet to lose more than four straight under Thomson.
They are in a familiar spot going into their final homestand of the season, which begins Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. They have a four-game losing streak, including a three-game sweep in Atlanta. The cushion they had over the Padres in the National League wild-card race has vanished; San Diego has a half-game lead on the Phillies for the second spot. The Phillies had a two-game lead over Brewers for the third and final spot going into Milwaukee’s home game Monday against the Mets.
