Philadelphia, PA (AP) - After being red hot for much of June, the Phillies offense seems to be running out of gas before the All-Star break, as Boston beats the Phils 4-3 in the rubber match of the series.

Philadelphia just couldn't seem to solve the Red Sox young starter, Jason Bergmann, who is filling in for the injured Clay Buchholz.  Bergmann was flat out dominant, holding the Fightins' to just three hits over 7 innings, while striking out six batters.

"He really had good stuff working out there," said Chase Utley.  "He may be young, but he didn't pitch like it today.  Give him credit.  We couldn't make the adjustments we needed as the game went on."

Chase Utley finally put the Phils on the board in the 7th with his 21st home run of the year.

Utley was actually one of the few Phillies who accomplished anything at the plate against Bergmann.  He hit a two-run shot in the seventh inning that tied the score at two.  However, he only really got that chance because of an error that allowed Placido Polanco to reach.

The Phillies bullpen has been struggling lately, as well.  As soon as Philadelphia tied the game up, David Herndon gave the lead right back to Boston.  In the top of the eighth, Carl Crawford led off with a stinging double to the gap in left center field.  Then, J.D. Drew smashed a shot over the wall in right field for a 4-2 advantage.  That was paricularly frustrating for Phillies fans, who constantly boo Drew every chance they get for him refusing to sign with the team when the organization originally drafted him.

"David's (Herndon) been having some trouble as of late," admitted manager Charlie Manuel.  "But, he's not going to get better if he doesn't get put in some tight spots.  He didn't do too good this time, but that doesn't mean he won't come in and strike out the side next time."

The Phillies came close to cashing in on more late-inning magic against Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, however.

In the bottom of the ninth, Ryan Howard cut the deficit to one with a massive solo home run to left center field.  Raul Ibanez worked a walk and Shane Victorino reached with a single.  That brought Ross Gload to the plate.  He crushed a ball down the right field line, trying to wave it fair a la Carlton Fisk in game 6 of the 1975 World Series.  But, it was not to be, as the ball just sailed foul.

"I really thought I had another one," said Gload.  "I knew I got all of it, it was just a matter of whether it would stay fair.  Unfortunately, it did not."

Gload hit an unprobably walk-off home run a couple weeks prior against Florida, and he just missed doing it again.  Instead, he settled for a walk to load the bases, putting the winning run in scoring position with just one out.  But, Papelbon got Carlos Ruiz to ground into a double play to end the game.

The Phils "D" helped Cliff Lee early. Here, Jed Lowrie is thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple in the third inning.

"It looked like it was going to sneak through up the middle.  But, Pedroia made a nice play.  Too bad, that would've been a real nice win for us."

Despite a 19-7 record in June, the Fightins' enter July having gained just one game on second place Atlanta.  The Braves sit just four games back.  Just when it seemed the Phils were going to run away with the division, they've come back to Earth a little bit.

"There's still a lot of baseball left to play," said Manuel.  "But, if we keep fighting like we do, we'll be fine."

Phillies fans did witness a bit of history during the game.  Ryan Howard picked up career hit number 1,000.

"It's nice to get a milestone like that in front of the fans.  But honestly, I'm really disappointed that we lost.  The hit thing is a significant accomplishment, but it doesn't mean as much when you lose.  I'd easily have gone hitless if it meant we could've won today," said Howard afterwards.

The Phils fans are hoping to see Howard mark another milestone before season's end.  He's just 18 homers shy of 300 for his career.

Philadelphia wraps up interleague play with a trip to Toronto in a rematch of the 1993 World Series.  We'll just leave it at that.  The Phillies then travel to Florida for a three-game set with the Marlins and finish up at home against Atlanta before the All-Star break.

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