NEW YORK - Vince Velasquez, ahead 1-2 in the count, threw a curveball Wednesday night. Wilmer Flores pounded it into the ground for a simple out to begin the fifth inning. Jose Reyes slapped a first-pitch change-up to shortstop for the second out. Then Travis d'Arnaud chopped a good fastball, down and away, to second base.
Seven pitches, three outs. That is how Velasquez could taste the sixth inning for the first time this season.
And that is when his outing, in a 5-4 Phillies loss to the Mets, deteriorated.
Jay Bruce crushed a first-pitch change-up for a three-run homer in the sixth.