Phils' road trip turns sour after promising start

NEW YORK -- It is hard to remember, but a little more than a week ago the Phillies opened a 10-game road trip with a victory in Colorado.

It extended their winning streak to six games, their longest since they won seven consecutive games from Sept. 5-12, 2012. The streak gave the players in the Phillies' clubhouse a reason to feel good about themselves following an 11-23 start, which was the worst record in baseball and the organization's worst start since 1971.

But the Phillies have lost seven of their last nine following Wednesday afternoon's 7-0 loss to the Mets at Citi Field.

"Yeah, it was really bad," Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis said. "We were playing really good. We had some tough games, like the [5-4 loss in 10 innings Tuesday]. But we're getting better, man. I think we're getting better. Hopefully, tomorrow we'll have a nice day off and come back."

But the good vibes certainly were harder to find as the Phillies cleared out the visitors' clubhouse.

"Nope," Ryan Howard said, when asked for a comment about the series.

Wednesday was the 19th time this season the Phillies have scored two or fewer runs.

It was the fifth time they have been shut out.

The Phillies are averaging 3.12 runs per game this season, which is the lowest average in baseball in a non-strike season since 1972, when the Angels (2.93), Rangers (2.99) and Indians (3.03) struggled more than these Phillies.

The Phillies had trouble against the Mets' starters over the past two games. Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard allowed six hits and struck out six in 7 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday. Jacob deGrom allowed two runs on six hits and struck out nine in 7 1/3 innings Tuesday.

"They have the possibility of seven starters over there with [Zack] Wheeler and [Dillon] Gee," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "They throw arms at you from the start. No doubt about it."

The Phillies have lost 20 of their last 25 games against the Mets. They open a three-game series Friday against the Rockies, whom they split a four-game series with last week in Denver.

"We started off the road trip pretty well," Sandberg said. "To lose the last four is not the way I would like to end the road trip, especially today. We play good baseball at home. We've rebounded at home, too. So hopefully that's the case starting this series."

"It's kind of a blessing we have an off-day tomorrow," said Sean O'Sullivan, who allowed seven runs in 5 2/3 innings. "Hopefully, we can regroup."