In a dramatic turnaround from their previous two series, the Phillies blew the first game of their series with the Atlanta Braves, but rebounded nicely to take the final two games to remain in second place in the National League East.

In one of the worst games that I have ever attended, the Phillies failed to score a run in the first eight innings of Friday night’s game off of Braves’ pitcher Jair Jurrjens, mustering just three hits against the young right-hander. After giving up seven runs in the ninth inning, including a grand slam to Braves’ catcher Brian McCann, his second homerun of the game, the Phillies were finally able to muster a couple runs off Ryan Howard’s two-run home run in the bottom of the inning. It was too little too late.

Even more troubling than the Phillies inability to generate any offense was that All Star closer Brad Lidge gave up five runs without getting an out, including his first home run of the year. His ERA rose from 1.29 to 2.36.

It was a disheartening and demoralizing loss that could have easily put the team into a downward spiral, but in a display of incredible grit and character, very similar to what the Mets did after their disastrous collapse last Tuesday against the Phillies, the Fightins rallied to pull out a 10-9 victory behind a pinch hit three run home run by Greg Dobbs. In a dramatic shift in what has been the normal modus operandi for the Phillies of late, staff ace Cole Hamels got shelled for nine runs in just one inning, but the offense came roaring back with seven runs in the fifth inning. Instead of laying down, the Phillies ripped victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Phillies capitalized on their momentum from Saturday’s win to overcome a tough start from pitcher Joe Blanton and a rain delay to win the rubber match on Sunday 12-10. Behind home runs from Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino, and Jason Werth, the Phillies were able to withstand a rocky fourth inning from Adam Eaton and an eighth inning in which relievers Rudy Seanez and Ryan Madson gave up a combined five runs. Lidge came in and got his second save in as many nights, a great sign considering his terrible outing on Friday.

The Phillies had a really tough week, losing two series to division rival Florida and New York. It looked like they were going to continue their losing ways after the debacle from Friday but the Fightins displayed the Never Say Die attitude that Phils’ fans have been looking for all season. Hopefully the Phillies can build on this success and build some momentum as they head to Washington to face the Nationals on Tuesday.