Unless I’m mistaken, I consistently hear Cole Hamels described as the “ace” of the Phillies pitching staff.

So since when is the ace only capable of going seven innings?

Coming off two nights against the Mets that consisted of the ecstasy of a miracle comeback and the agony of a bullpen meltdown, the Phils went to Wrigley Field and promptly offered an instant replay of their ugly loss the night before.

Two nights ago, the Phils got the better of Mets’ ace Johan Santana, only to see their bullpen cough it up.

Last night they staked themselves to a lead against outstanding Cubs’ starter Ryan Dempster.

They went into the seventh inning with a 4-1 lead and Hamels on the mound.

But Hamels did not come out for the eighth. Having thrown 108 pitches, he was lifted in favor of Ryan Madson.

No, you didn’t read that wrong. The Phillies brain trust decided they had a better shot with Ryan Madson pitching than Cole Hamels.

I don’t know exactly what transpired in that decision. I don’t know if Hamels told them he didn’t have anything left. I hope that’s not the case. I hope he screamed like hell – doing his best Brett Myers imitation – that he wanted to go back out in the eighth.

Madson promptly imploded. Mike Fontenot greeted him with a home run. He then gave up two more hits before giving way to Chad Durbin. Durbin walked Derek Lee to load the bases. They didn’t stay that way long. Aramis Ramirez crushed a ball into the seats in left-center.

That’s two nights in a row the Phils – and their suddenly suspect bullpen – have grasped defeat from the jaws of victory.

It leaves them a full game behind the Mets, who did not play last night.

And it should leave a lot of people wondering exactly what the definition of “ace” is.