A rare feat
For the first time in his career, Roy Halladay lost a complete game in which he carried a lead into the ninth at home. He finished the 65th game of his career, but that was of little consolation.
In fact, Halladay's total night — a complete-game loss with 14 strikeouts is quite the rare feat. He's just the third Phillies pitcher to ever accomplish such a thing.
And since 1978, only 17 other times did a pitcher suffer a similar fate to Halladay's. He was the first in 11 years:
Charlie Manuel said afterward that it was Halladay's game to win or lose in the ninth.
"It's his game, isn't it?" Manuel said. "He's my ace. That's the way I look at it. We had those guys throwing [in the bullpen] but there was no discussion. It was his game. There's never been the perfect pitcher or the perfect player, and never will be."
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