Phillies Score Runs, Still Lose to Nationals
Posted by Pat Gallen, Wed, September 21, 2011 10:54 PM | Comments: 15
2011 Game Recaps, Posts
Now, that’s what you call an offensive explosion! Kidding, but seriously the Phillies scored five runs tonight, which should help quell rumors of the team’s demise. The only issue was the pitching on Wednesday night as the Phillies fell to the Washington Nationals, 7-5. Yes, three straight losses to the Nationals equal five in a row overall. It’s the Phillies first five game losing streak since May 22-27, 2010.
PHOTO AP
If you knew nothing about baseball and watched the Phillies play as of late, you’d think they were a Double-A team. The frustration has set in, and it’s somewhat understandable. But as I’ve said (and many others as well) these games mean zero. When the calendar flips to October, it’ll be time to judge.
After three runs through three innings, the Phillies didn’t strike again until the eighth inning. Down 7-3, John Mayberry Jr. stated his case for a starting job in the playoffs and next season with a titanic home run deep to right field to cut the Nationals lead to 7-5. That’s as close as the Phils would get.
It was a fantastic night for Mayberry and the bottom of the order. Big John finished up 3-for-4 with a home run, three runs scores, and two RBI. Batters 5-through-7 in the order (Mayberry, Ibanez, Francisco) went a combined 8-for-12 with four RBI. The top four hitters of the Phillies lineup (Rollins, Victorino, Polanco, Utley) finished 0-for-16.
Heading into Wednesday’s game, John Lannan was 1-12 lifetime against the Phils with the only victory coming earlier this season in Washington. Tonight made it two in a row. In five innings, Lannan gave up three runs on eight hits, and got the win as his offense supplied him with two runs in the top half of the sixth. That came off the bat of Danny Espinosa; his 21st home run was a two-run blast to right field that put the Nats ahead 4-3.
Vance Worley was responsible for that home run, as well as the second inning homer hit by Wilson Ramos; a two-run shot. In what was his final start of the season, Worley was a bit erratic, having allowed four runs on six hits with three walks. The six K’s were nice; hopefully that translates to becoming a solid one-inning reliever if need be. Charlie Manuel stated prior to the game that Worley will be in the bullpen for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.
Joe Blanton pitched an inning of relief and looked decent, routinely hitting 89-91 on the gun. He gave up one hit and struck out one. At the other end of the spectrum was Justin De Fratus.
Before the game, De Fratus told me he was just trying to calm his nerves and that guys like Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson were helping out in that department. However, he faced two batters on Wednesday night, hitting the first and walking the second. Appears the nerves are still an issue. I wonder if it might be easier for a young pitcher to break in with a team like the Royals or Astros; a team that has no postseason aspirations and works mainly without proper leadership on the field? Perhaps De Fratus is feeling uneasy being in the presence of veterans who have been there, done that.
Antonio Bastardo came in and committed an error that allowed a run to score, plus gave up a couple of run-scoring base hits. A 4-3 Washington lead became 7-3 in what seemed like a matter of moments. The bullpen had again failed miserably. Even more worrisome is that the Phillies seem to have lost their eighth inning guy. Bastardo has allowed six earned runs in his last 3 1/3 innings over six appearances. He had allowed only five earned in his previous 35 1/3 innings over 37 appearances (h/t – Martin Frank).
When asked about the struggles at top of the lineup, Charlie Manuel’s said “I’m concerned about it, yeah. At the same time, I’ve seen them hit, I think that they’ll hit.” Manuel seems to be rather upbeat while he witnesses his offense shooting blanks on a daily basis. Even he says he still has confidence that the team will turn it on when it matters most. Let’s hope the skipper is right.
Posts: 369 Morris Buttermaker
Anybody know when Victorino, Utley and Rollins are supposed to get off the Invisible List?
Posted: 11:03 PM on September 21, 2011
Posts: 0 BART SHART
The loss doesn’t mean sh!t at this point. Play loose, get the rookies and minor leaguers some work and rest the vets. It’s that simple.
Posted: 11:06 PM on September 21, 2011
Posts: 0 BART SHART
Mayberry really looks like a stud. I do not know how Brown is going to break into the outfield as a starter next year. Mayberry looks like a 25 to 30 HR hitter at this point for 2012
Posted: 11:07 PM on September 21, 2011
Posts: 2599 Chuck A.
I think they’ll give Brown every opportunity in Spring Training…you don’t cultivate #1 picks for no reason….but Mayberry will make things VERY interesting for sure. He could be the late bloomer type. Sort of like Jayson Werth was.
As for this loss…yeah, it’s frustrating. But, as I said earlier today….people seriously need to just reeeeeelaaaax. They have a week to get healthy, work out the kinks and sharpen the knife. I would say that, right now, by biggest concern is the lefty out of the pen.
Posted: 11:22 PM on September 21, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Everyone is relaxed.
I am concerned about Utley and Howard. Looks like both of their bodies are betraying them.
I am as down on this team as I have been since the Pence trade ( ironicly he is hurt too now).
They are an old team and old things wear down. Thats just a general fact of life. You grow old and you die. The end.
This is all moot though.
The Phillies have home field throught the playoffs. They have Roy halladay in all game 1s and Cliff Lee in all game 2s and Cole Hamels in all game 3s.
They should minimal make the world series. If not win it.
If this doesnt happen. I will have much to say after the playoffs about the line up.
Until then I am like everyone else. Crossing my fingers and hoping they hit just enough to win a World Series.
I am 50/50 on the propositon.
Posted: 11:50 PM on September 21, 2011
Posts: 1431 Pat Gallen
Andrew, I appreciate when you come with a logical perspective. It does look like some bodies are betraying guys, but there will be a rejuvenation in the postseason after some rest here.
Posted: 12:05 AM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 0 sportsphan
Anyone want to speculate on the certain doom that will come if we have to play St. Louis in the first round? Even without the fact that we can’t seem to beat them, they are on fire right now and we ….. are definitely not. Maybe we DO need to lose the last three to Atlanta, if only we didn’t need to win them to get some momentum going into the post-season. Catch-22.
Posted: 09:49 AM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 0 Jeff
Thats why I like a close race. Yes, you do not get rest but the guys are going hard and being focused. This past week should be concern for everyone. They look lost. Im sorry but I can’t see them just turing the switch on.
Posted: 10:47 AM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
Would you rather us have players play in meaningless games, and risk injury …… or sit our starters because we’ve clinched and the only thing that would matter now would be the Win Total ??
99.997% of Phillies fans would have taken this scenario at the start of the season, so why are we worried about it right now ??
When we get to the playoffs, the other team has to face the best starting rotation in baseball … I wish them all good luck, they’ll need it
Posted: 11:09 AM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 567 Brian Sr. of CO
Maybe we should do what Original Jeff thinks, and play everyone, watch them get injured in meaningless games, and get whooped in the NLCS, because according to him we will definitely get swept in the NLDS. LOL
Posted: 11:20 AM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
i am not one critisize Charlie that often but I think he use of Bastardo has a lot to do with his struggles recently. At some point he stop leaving him out there to get himself out of jams that he got himself in, and now he is pitching on what seems to be 3 4 days off, last night he left him in after giving up some runs but it is the first time in like a month that he allowed that. He would walk a guy and Charlie would pull him, it was not like that earlier in the year. I think Bastardo needs more work not less, I am a little nervous cause I think Charlie is leaning toward Lidge in the eighth inning and having Bastardo face lefties only then pulling him after one guy. I really think Bastardo will be able to perform in the post season.
Posted: 12:15 PM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 3570 Lefty
I was listening to the manager’s show on the radio pre game the other night, and Charlie all but admitted that Lidge will be his 8th inning guy. Wheeler asked him about it, and I can’t remember his exact words, but he said something to the effect of yeah I can use him, 7th , or 8th. I live far away and had scratchy reception.
Did anyone else hear it?
Posted: 12:45 PM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 0 Original Jeff
Laugh now. You will be crying soon. Then I will say told you. The Yankees are playing the string out. Winning.
Posted: 12:26 PM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 567 Brian Sr. of CO
Ok, no it is clear. Original Jeff IS a Troll and a Yankmee fan. Now I get it. The stupid idiotic comments are now clear. LOL.
Posted: 01:01 PM on September 22, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
Original Jeff ,, which part of NY are you from?
Posted: 12:39 PM on September 22, 2011