Only in Philadelphia could down-trodden fans suffer the indignity of getting hosed by two controversial calls in a span of a little more than 24 hours.

Both scenarios cement our belief that the sporting gods have it in for us because of the fact that one occurred because there was no replay; the other because there was.

Let’s start with the Phils, who lost a game Sunday in part because an umpire ruled a long home run by the Cubs Mark DeRosa in the sixth inning was a fair ball, when TV replays seemed to show the ball clearing going to the left of the foul pole.

Take that run away and the Phils win in regulation. Turns out they fell in 10 innings. Charlie Manuel argued the call and got ejected for his efforts.

Somehow I think we are going to remember that call come the last week of September.

A little more than 24 hours later, the Sixers won a game in dramatic fashion against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Or so it seemed.

After Lebron James was denied in his last-second drive to the basket and a desperation shot on the rebound by Devin Brown clanged off the rim, the joyous Sixers celebrated and headed to the locker room.

Unfortunately, the game was not over. In the cacophony of the Wachovia Center, no one heard the referee blow his whistle to signal a foul call with 0.2 seconds left on the clock.

But the Cavs’ coach did, and he confronted the referees and demanded a replay review. Five minutes later, it turns out the Sixers had not won. At least not yet.

Give Devin Brown credit. He calmly walked to the line and hit nothing but net on his two free throws.

Cavs 91, Sixers 90.

Ouch!

There you have it. Two excruciating losses made all the more “bitter” (I’m sure Sen. Obama would agree) by the fact that replay factored in both of them.

One of these days a replay will go our way. I wouldn’t hold my breath.

By the way, it’s also Tax Day. What else can go wrong? Only a cynic would say it’s time for the Flyers to see a crucial call go against them tonight.

Maybe we are cursed.