PHOTO: AP
The Phillies are tough to watch right now. Don’t let the final score fool you, this was a blowout. The offense couldn’t get anything going until the ninth, the pitching seemed to be unraveling, and the defense has been suspect. They lost the game 9-5, and it seemed as though every facet of the game was a lost cause. Let’s start with the offense.
Offense
– The Phillies were dangerously close to getting shut out for the third time this year. Had they not scored that run in the ninth, they would’ve been shut out for the third time, or at a rate of once every 5.7 games. Last year, they were shut out once every 23.1 games. That stat is safe…for now.
– After getting shut out for eight innings, they exploded for five runs in the ninth, including two home runs–one by Shane Victorino and one by Carlos Ruiz.
– Over half of the Phillies hits were for extra bases–four doubles and two home runs to go alone with five singles.
Pitching
– Kyle Kendrick had a wonderful line of 3.0 IP/11 H/7 R/7 ER/1 BB/1 K. The last time he gave up that man earned runs in so few innings was back in 2008. I wouldn’t expect him to repeat this performance, but it was truly a terrible outing.
– David Herndon replaced Kendrick, and actually pitched pretty well. He gave up a homer run early, but pitched fairly well afterward. He was pulled once he loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth when Joe Savery relieved him.
– Speaking of Savery, he did his job when the Phillies needed him to get the last out of the sixth. Coming in a jam like that and doing your job is always a good thing.
– After that out, Savery didn’t do all that well. He allowed a double to the first batter of the following inning, which, with the help of a passed by by Carlos Ruiz, led to a sacrifice fly.
– The sixteen hits the Phils gave up is the most hits they’ve given up since September 4 of last year. They gave up 16+ just twice last year.
Game Notes
– The game was extremely lopsided, but pretty short considering the amount of runs scored. The game ended less than three hours after the first pitch.
– Angel Hernandez seriously needs to be relieved of his duties as a MLB umpire. In the first inning, he ruled a ball a home run when the ball hit the wall about halfway up. How he is allowed to be an umpire after all of his past errors is beyond me.
– In the ninth inning, Joe Paterson had the following line: 0 IP/5 H/5 R/5 ER, 21 pitches. He made Kyle Kendrick look good.
What’s next: The Phillies take on the D-Backs again tomorrow at 9:40 with Vance Worley taking the mound for the Phils and Josh Collmenter getting the start for the D-Backs.
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