Comeback Dies Short; Phils Lose Third Straight
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, July 08, 2008 09:39 AM | Comments: 55
Posts
Another loss to the Mets. Can we call it a moral loss? Can we call it a bad loss? Seriously, what can we call this?
Adam Eaton gave the Phillies little chance to beat the Mets Monday night, giving up eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits in just 2.2 innings. He was bad. Very bad. His pitches were so hittable the 1996 Phillies would’ve had a field day. And the Mets spread the wealth – Jose Reyes had two hits, Endy Chavez had three hits, David Wright had two hits, Damion Easley had three hits, Carlos Delgado had two hits, Fernando Tatis has three hits. When Tatis and Easley get six hits, you know you’re pitching poorly.
Somehow the Phils offense valiantly came back, but it wasn’t good enough. Chase Utley socked his league-leading 25th home run; Pat Burrell hit his 22nd; Ryan Howard brought the Phils within sneezing distance with his 24th. But the big blow was Geoff Jenkins’ eight-inning shot, a pinch hit blow that stirred the hopes of all the fans remaining.
In the ninth, the Phils answered again. Shane Victorino doubled to lead off the inning, but almost was stranded after Eric Bruntlett (in for Utley) walked. But then Howard and Burrell got outs. Pinch hitter Pedro Feliz then made the Mets pay with a single, scoring Victorino. A Carlos Beltran throwing error scored Howard, and suddenly it was a one-run game with the winning run at the plate — Sunday’s hero Jayson Werth. No dice.
They gave it their all when the chips were completely off the table. Come to think, maybe that was why they gave it their all — without much pressure to mount a huge comeback, they mounted a huge comeback. They just didn’t do enough.
Eaton gets all the blame here. He couldn’t even give the team a chance early on. The first three innings resembled a pinball game. Combine Eaton, the Brewers’ acquisition of CC Sabathia and the Cubs’ pursuit of Rich Harden, and it’s becoming dire that the Phils upgrade their rotation.
Lost in the shuffle is RJ Swindle, who had a bad first inning in the Majors (two runs on four hits) but settled down to mow down the Mets, striking out David Wright and Carlos Delgado. He went three innings. Of course, in retrospect, the two runs Swindle surrendered provided the difference, but how can you blame him? This one is on the starter.
With the loss and a Marlins win, the Phils are now 1.5 games in front. The Mets are only 2.5 back now, and coming on strong.
Associated Press photo
Posts: 0 Jeff
Bruntlett (in for Utley) made a WALK, Howard killed the energy with an F’n strikeout, please correct this
Posted: 09:51 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 OZ
not feeling good ladies & gents…we were supposed to remind folks that we were a high end NL team – losing 3 of 4 to the Muts?! ugghhh.
Sell! Sell! Sell!
Posted: 09:52 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Jeff, I corrected it.
Posted: 10:04 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I still feel that we’re the team to beat in the East. No, we’re not a top tier team (we showed that during interleague play), but we’re still top 3 or 4 in the NL. I think the NL East will be a battle the rest of the year as it has been for most of the season already. No team is good enough and consistent enough to completely run away from the rest of the division. We’re in for long and straining second half of the season, so take a deep breath and get ready for it.
Posted: 10:14 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Jason
This is now the time for Gillick to make the move. If we are going to win this thing we need a pitching upgrade right now. The ball is in your court Gillick. GET IT DONE!!!
Posted: 10:18 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
The holes this team currently has will continue to bring them down in the division. There is no other way to put it. We’ve said it a hundred times, something has to be done if we want to contend — and that something becomes more and more apparent as the season moves forward.
Posted: 10:21 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Thats damn sure. Mike T, would you agree that somehow there needs to be a new everyday presence in the lineup? on top ov the pitching woes
Posted: 10:26 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
Yes, if we’re going to waste money on an older filler player, I’d like to see them spend money on an experienced bat. Someone who is patient at the plate, works the count and slaps a bunch of singles all over the place. That’s what I want to see – the offense is good, but we need more consistency there. We don’t need anyone with big power, but someone who can consistently put the bat on the ball and can force the pitcher to throw at least 4 or 5 pitches per at bat.
Posted: 10:32 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
I’m still very afraid this team will live and die on the home run. They only got back into it because of the homers. I mean, that was practically all their offense last night.
Posted: 10:33 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Geoff, how are we going to get a top of the line starter and a new everyday presence in the lineup that cant hit consistently AND I think you mentioned adding another solid bench player as well?? Every team has holes, I don’t see the Phillies being able to plug every one of theirs. We’ll be lucky if we see one decent/big size move.
Posted: 10:33 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I completely and totally agree. The question is who can we realistically kick out of their everyday role? itd have to be an outfielder.
Posted: 10:33 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Mike, I would’ve loved to see them get Luis Gonzalez, but Florida wisely picked him up. I think that’s what So Taguchi was supposed to be, but he hasn’t panned out at all.
Posted: 10:34 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
im thinking shane because the centerfielder is supposed to be the guy you described as what we need in this lineup. doesnt mean trade him necessarily but let him platoon with werth again. and please, please, please, get rid of so taguchi
Posted: 10:34 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that was the intention when signing Taguchi.
Posted: 10:36 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Yea, I think we need to get rid of Taguchi and bring someone up from the Minors. I also think they should DFA Ruiz and bring up Marson and see how he does for a short time. Let Ruiz try to work out his offensive troubles and see if Marson is ready for the show. If Marson doesn’t work out, just bring back a hopefully improved Ruiz.
Posted: 10:41 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Yeah but they went cheap on us with So. What about willy taveras? thats been thrown around by a lot of ppl on this site. what about xavier nady?
Posted: 10:41 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
Yeah, I’d take any of those guys. What about Dave Roberts? I think he’s on rehab.
Posted: 10:44 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
The X-Factor is jenkins. Hes a 5mm+ hole out there and he might only be good for a cheap pinch hitter but he just makes too much money. thats what is screwing up the dynamic out there more than taguchi being worthless, which is also bad.
Posted: 10:45 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
No, Ruiz is done. He will not improve. I’ve been waiting for him to improve for 3 years now, and it hasn’t happened. His defense is nice, but not worth even having him around – he flat out stinks.
Posted: 10:45 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
The problem were facing is leadership. The rotation has leadership in Moyer, the pen are working as a unit and Romero’s been key in instilling a take responsibility attitude. In the line-up there is a lack of leadership, Utley and Burrell are not the rally the troops kind of guys and Jimmy has faded into the back-ground while Ryan’s fighting a one man war on that stats sheet. The most vocal guy in the clubhouse from the reports is Vic and thats not enough.
I love Jimmy as the soul of this team but I don’t wanna hear him being called out by Charlie and now Vic, it’s great he accepts critisism but he has to be the one to step up and rally the guys as a team behind him.
As for the pitching somethings coming and wouldn’t be suprised if it’s from out of leftfield, don’t think the Bedard deal will get down in our favour and think we’ll be seeing a starter we really didn’t expect join the ballclub.
Posted: 10:46 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Good point, NJ. I almost forget about Jimmy Rollins on this team this year. He has just completely faded on us. We’re going to need him if we want to make this happen.
Posted: 10:50 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
CF Market: David DeJesus, Ryan Freel, Coco Crisp, Willy Taveras
LF/RF Market: Nady, Brian Giles, Randy Winn, Raul Ibanez, Dave Roberts, Adam Dunn
Some decent names in there. A lot of garbage though. Its good we have two versatile guys in Shane and Werth because that allows us to be flexible in who to go after.
Yes, I legitiamtely do think they need another OF in the mix who actually is good. Yes he should play every day but thats hard to find. I think they at minimum need to find someone to basically rotate with vic and werth so they all get a good mix of time. victorino/werth is a good platoon. they really need someone to do what jenkins was signed to do because jenkins isnt capable of that.
id feel better id they went out and addressed that as well. i know its a lot to ask for in kless than a month but its necessary i feel.
hey, maybe you can solve the bullpen problem from within, i dunno.
Priority list:
1 – #2 starter
2 – OF to play in rotation with vic/werth who is capable of playing everyday
3 – if thats all taken care of and its still doable, then go after a setup man.
Posted: 10:53 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
thoughts? there are few guys on that list who are attainable at a cheap price who will help this club and fit right in.
Posted: 10:54 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
We don’t need a major postional move outside of replacing Taguchi. Jenkins like much of the line-up needs to go out there and have the other team account for them, there’s been too many easy outs when it matters since the Boston series.
As for Marson maybe try and get this guy onto the roster in ST but for the meantime he’s best served catching everyday in the minors. There’s no doubt we need to upgrade the position and Coste’s done admirably to carry a bigger load behind the plate but Marson’s not ready. That said we need to get him up young, we have several talented catchers in the system but we have to be more aggressive in getting them to Philly. Ruiz never had the potential to be more than a platoon catcher, he was mollycoddled into being the everyday catcher and that process took far too long.
Posted: 10:55 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I agree about Marson in the sense that he needs to be called up and replacing ruiz like, now. In all honesty, ruiz is nothing more than a bad abckup catcher of a legit WS team.
About Jenkins, I think hes just a black hole on your roster. he is WAY overpaid for what he does. HE should be the 5th outfielder but he cant even do that bc hes making 5mm then 7mm then more. Total money pit on the payroll fo ryears to come and they need to get him out of here like right now. BAD BAD BAD signing.
Posted: 10:59 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
ruiz is the perfect guy to backup someone like joe mauer. total everyday all star stud catcher so good that it doesnt matter who his backup is because his backup will only start like 40 games a year at the very most.
Posted: 11:00 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Geoff love your thinking but in reality it’s too many cooks in the kitchen and Jenkins struggles is the proof. Burrell will play every day in left and Vic in centre and the only way this team is going to make the play-offs is with them playing their game. Another type A outfielder just becomes a glorifide bat of the bench which is what with have in Jenkins, the best addition to the mix is him playing well enough to warrant more playing time. Freel is an interesting name off the bench but a major line-up move isn’t going to change much unless your going to relegate Werth back to bench duties. If the bench is issue enough and with Taguchi clearly not able to perform maybe Dobbs sees some time in the outfield and we acquire a corner infielder for the bench.
Acquiring a starter is definately the priority along side praying Myers will return to form but now Gordon’s down, unless Madson can return to setting up like he did for Wagner we need a set-up guy because Romero is not the right guy to go to in that role on an everyday basis.
Posted: 11:07 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I also doubt they will actually nab a significant outfielder at the deadline. Jenkins totally fouled up their outfield because his role is so important but he cant do it. Im scared that he might be on this team next year too. That 5mm should be for a guy like taveras or nady or something liek that but they waste it on him.
Posted: 11:11 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Nady’s agent is Scott Boras. Nady will some how be getting 15 million next year.
Posted: 11:17 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NYC PIMP DaDDy
HEY PHILLIES PHAG—GETS,
HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR FUN IN THE SUN IN 1ST.
CUZ, BROVAZ, YA REIGN IZ OVA.
BGL GRAFFITI BROOKLYN THUG IZ HERE TO LET YOU KNOW YA DONE.
NYC PIMPSQUAD AKA. NY METS. AKA LATINO GANGSTAZ AKA NYC SOUL TRAIN IS COMMIN THROUGH.
PEACE TO YOUZ AND YA CREWZ CUZ YALL IZ HEADED NO WHERE FATS.
BY THE WAY…YOU CAN FIRE SHOTS AT ME.
FOR I DO NOT CARE BECAUSE I AM RICH.
I HAVE MORE MONEY THAN YOUR ENTIRE EXTENDE FAMILY AND I AM ONLY 22 YEARS OLD.
THATS RIGHT SONNYS….I AM A WALL STREET NYC STYLE MOBSTA RUNNIN THE WHOLE SCENE.
YAZ DARE COME SEE ME, I WILL DO YOU IN,.
COME TO SHEA ANYDAY AND GET PUNCHED IN THE KISSER. FOOLS
YA WHOLE TOWN IS TRASH COMPARED TO MY GODLY CITY.
READ IT AND WEEP BOYS. YA WASHED UP. PULL YA PANTS UP. FOOLZ
Posted: 11:18 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I agree with NJ here… you can’t really keep bashin Jenkins for what he has, or hasn’t done in his part-time role over half a season.
Werth does desrve more playing time, but if you take Victorino out, he’ll never come back around.. Vic plays solid defense, but doesn’t make crazy diving catches like Rowand so he doesn’t get many props. Jenkins and Werth would both be more productive if they played everyday, but in a platoon, you have to add up their numbers and say that you are getting..
.257, 19 HR, 59 RBIs between the two of them… at 6.7M that ain’t too too bad in half a season. Especially considering that Jenkins is struggling..
I think a Freel, or Taveres would be a great addition to this team, because both of them can play defense and run the bases very well… and both can hit pretty good.. I don’t think they have intrest in Willy Tav, i just suggested it when I saw the Rox were shopping him last week
Ruiz is too good of a defensive catcher and “calls too good a game” for them to send him down.. if Rollins and Victorino were producing, he wouldn’t be an issue
Posted: 11:19 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Im going to disregard that. Only savage new york pigs would want violence at a baseball game, which is a family environment and is supposed to represent wholesome Americana. If you want to be violent go to your smelly putrid Giants Stadium and watch the NFL with all of the other drunk barbarian savages new york jets fans (because i know youre a jets fan who will claim that they are a giants fan)
Posted: 11:20 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I would go visit Shea…but I have 3.5 bathroom in my house, so there is no need for me to drive that far to visit the toilet in NY.
I don’t know about the rest of you guyzzz, but i think NYC PIMP DADDY…..
Posted: 11:21 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
IS A TRUE PLAYA, FA SHO
Posted: 11:21 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
am i the only person that thinks jenkins is one of the worst signings theyve made in the gillick era?
look at his contract compared to what he gives you. ryan freel and willy taveras are better options.
Posted: 11:22 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
How does that work anyway
Mets, Jets, Devils, Nets
Yankees, Giants, Islanders, Knicks… do they all just root for whoever is winning??
Posted: 11:23 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Yes thats EXACTLY what they do. NY is the biggest fraud fan city in America. Theyve got wardrobes with gear for every NY/NJ team tucked away at their hosue ready to put on based on whos winning.
Posted: 11:26 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
He’s played in 73 games… I just don’t think its time to kill the guy yet.
He’s struggling, he knows he’s struggling, they said he’s been working everyday with Manuel to get his hitting going again… but when guys are platooning, its really, really tough for them to find a groove because when they get close, they might sit for 2 games in a row or something.
Right now, it looks bad… and maybe at the end of this year it will look worse, but until that time comes, lets wait and see.
Posted: 11:29 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I know well be stuck with him the whole season, I just think if he has a bad year theyve gotta then do whatever it takes to get him out of here with how much money they gave him.
Posted: 11:34 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NYC PIMP DaDDy
remember you can take shots at me while i take shots from you.
hahahahahaha
Posted: 11:35 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
do you even know where america is on a map?
Posted: 11:39 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 OZ
NY Pimp Daddy –
that bored in study hall, eh?
why don’t you and your 22 illigetimate siblings go play in traffic
Posted: 11:43 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
What kinda broke-ass pimp sits at his computer and types on a blog… unless, of course, you pimp-out guys
Anyway,
I would def be talking smack if I was a Muts fan too… with how automatic BILLY HR WAGNER is… you guys are going far this year! He never blows saves or gives up runs in close games
Posted: 11:43 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Can we all from now on just disregard comments from people like him. It’s pointless to even talk about him. So from now on I say we just don’t even comment on them.
Posted: 11:56 AM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
Agreed. good idea
Posted: 12:04 PM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 TJ
The thought of either Freel, Willy Tav, or David Dejesus gets me a little excited for possibilities. Any of these guys would jumpstart our offense. Hit for average and run the bases, we need to start playing some small ball. Geoff Jenkins is a diseas to this team with both money and production, he wont be moved cause of his contract and he wont sit out for an extended period of time, because of his contract. One of the worst signings in baseball since Carl Pavano.
Posted: 12:09 PM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 I Come In Peace
Disregard the idiots – every fanbase has them and they’re not worth your time.
Clearly both of our teams are seriously flawed (like every team in our division) and it will be close down the stretch unless one team either a)makes a decent trade or b)implodes.
Billy – yeah, we’re holding our breath every time he comes into a game against a decent team. His postgame remarks were pretty funny – he basically said no lead is ever safe in CBP because it’s a bandbox (admit it, you know it’s true) and that he knows it from experience.
Oh, and the only time in my life I’ve rooted for the Yankees was the ’96 series: they were the only slightly lesser of two evils.
Posted: 12:15 PM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Yea, its definitely a hitters park. But Wagner has blown a bunch of saves this year outside of CBP and last night almost blew one with a few hits and a walk, no HR’s. I think he meant to say – “No lead is ever safe when I’m on the mound.”
Posted: 12:19 PM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Randy Wynn will be available from SF if the Phils want an extra OF.
Posted: 12:22 PM on July 8, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Randy Wynn would be the best or 2nd best OF on the team if they got him… but that ain’t going to happen becuse they need pitching more than anything right now
Posted: 12:24 PM on July 8, 2008