The Phils are now oh-for-2 on their West Coast swing. Not good.

Last night they squandered another decent outing from Cole Hamels. Check the details by clicking here. That makes nine straight starts without a win for the best pitcher on the staff.

The Phils also managed to blow a 3-1 lead, after they were staked to an early lead on a home run from Chase Utley.

“So,” let’s get to the key play of the game. You might see where I’m going here. Bottom of ninth inning, game tied at 3. Dodgers have runner on second and get a base hit to short leftfield. Our old pal third base coach Larry Bowa never hesitates, waving the runner home.

You think Pat Burrell will gun this guy out easily. After all, on the replay it appears as if the runner is just rounding third as the left-fielder collects the base hit.

Just one problem. Burrell is not in left. So Taguchi, the so-called defensive replacement, is. Burrell may have his problems covering ground in left, but one thing he has is a powerful, usually accurate arm.

Taguchi’s throw to the plate could have been timed with a sun dial.

Run beats the throw to score. Game over.

Burrell has made it clear he does not like the idea of being lifted for defensive purposes in the late innings of close games.

Last night it might have cost the Phils a chance to send the game into extra innings and possibly win it.

Another frustrating night for the Phils. They’ll try to get their first win in the series tonight.

In the meantime, their margin for error is getting smaller. Both the Mets and Marlins won. The Mets now trail by just a game, the Marlins by a game and a half.