Phillies fall to Braves to end 2013 season

Will Roy Halladay be back in Philadelphia in 2014?

It was a fitting end to this lost season. Atlanta rocked the Phillies Sunday afternoon in a 12-5 loss to end the 2013 campaign. It marked the first losing season for the Phils since 2002. They finished with a 73-89 record.

Right-handed journeyman Zach Miner took the defeat after allowing five runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. The bullpen didn’t fare much better, combining to give up seven more runs on 10 hits. Erik Kratz provided the lone highlight by smashing a three-run homer in the fourth.

Since the season had been decided many months ago, there wasn’t much left to cry about. The biggest postgame mystery is surrounding Roy Halladay, and whether the fading ace will be back in red pinstripes next season?

“If Halladay signs for a reasonable amount, then it’s difficult not to sign him as a fourth starter,” an NL scout said. “That’s especially so if the alternatives aren’t so great. With Halladay, you know you’ll have a guy that will do whatever it takes to win. If he’s healthy now, it might be a really good calculated risk to sign him to a low-cost deal.”

Halladay’s last start came back on Sept. 24 in a 4-0 Phillies loss. The pitcher was struggling to find his command and couldn’t break 83 mph on the gun. He eventually left due to fatigue.

“I don’t know what the future is going to hold, but I want to go somewhere that wants me and somewhere that is going to have a shot,” Halladay said after that start. “Like I’ve always told you guys, I hope that’s here.”