Phils Can't Bring Runners Home in Loss To Dodgers

Eight men left on base.  Two-for-ten with runners in scoring position.  Those numbers explain it all.  The Phillies had plenty of opportunities, but failed to capitalize in their 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Roy Oswalt didn’t receive much help from his defense as the mistakes carried into the field.  Matt Kemp clearly should have been doubled off second base, but Chase Utley threw the ball past Wilson Valdez.  It was one of two throwing blunders by Utley, and this one proved costly.  Dioner Navarro singled to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.  Later, Roy Oswalt airmailed a pickoff throw as Ryan Howard failed to cover first base.  This also eventually led to a run for the Dodgers.

Oswalt did not pitch poorly, however.  In six innings, he allowed eight hits and all four runs were earned.  But without those defensive mistakes, he could have avoided the jams.  The only Dodger who seemed to cause him trouble was Dee Gordon, son of Tom “Flash” Gordon, who went 3-for-5 with a stolen base.

In the meantime, the Phillies failed to score.  Rubby De La Rosa walked five batters in the first two innings, and the Phillies only managed to score one run off it — a bases loaded walk.  The Phillies later had an opportunity to score, but Raul Ibanez was nailed at the plate on Valdez’s single.

The Phillies were still within reach until Kemp hit an 8th inning home run off Michael Stutes.  The Phillies were never able to get the bats going, and Javy Guerra recorded the easy save.

The Phillies could not extend their winning streak beyond two games as their offensive woes continue.  The Phillies need to get the bats going tomorrow behind Cole Hamels in the series rubber match.