Lee Falters, Phillies Can’t Catch Up

The Boston Red Sox continued to use Citizens Bank Park as their personal home run derby today in the rubber match.  They jumped out to a 5-0 lead on the backs of Jarrod Saltalamacchia‘s three run shot in the third inning.  Mike Aviles lead off the game with a home run for the second straight game.  He has homered in every game this series.

The Phillies could never quite catch up falling 5-1 and losing two out of three games in their first interleague series.

Off day for Cliff

Cliff Lee came into the ball game with an ERA under two but still had not logged his first win of the season.  Lee gave up five runs in the first three innings before finally settling in.  He ended up throwing 112 pitches in seven innings of work.  His ERA is now up to 2.66 and he is 0-2 for the season.

Misuse of the bench

Ty Wigginton batting with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning was probably the right thing to have done.  But looking back on it now, would it have better served the Phillies to see Carlos Ruiz hitting in that situation instead of in the ninth with nobody on?  Obviously if you bat Chooch there, it raises the question who would play third base.  Pete Orr was out when he pinch hit for Jacob Diekman.  This whole series of events is way above my pay grade, but it is still something to ponder.

Pence still coming on strong

Hunter Pence, with all his oddness, is starting to heat up at the plate.  He went 2-for-3 today and raised his average to .268 and has seven home runs this month.  Pence has been batting clean up for the Phillies with Ryan Howard out.  In a Howard filled lineup, Pence would be seeing different types of pitches so the fact that he is producing being the main threat is good for this team.

The dagger

The Phillies continue to miss out on the opportunities that they create.  In the two losses this weekend they grounded into four double plays.  Also today, Wigginton grounded out with the bases loaded when it seems the Phillies had something working.  I like the idea of having speed at the top of the lineup with Jimmy Rollins, Juan Pierre and Shane Victorino but things need to be shaken up a little.  Move Wiggy to hit third and Victorino in the sixth hole behind Chooch.