Categories: 2012 Game RecapsAnalysisNewsOpinionPosts

Lincecum Stifles Phillies as Worley Implodes

Timmy made a miserable night even worse for the Phillies. (AP)

After a promising road trip, the Phillies could not relay that momentum to their home park, where they’ve struggled mightily all season. Tim Lincecum came in and whooped up on the Phillies as the Giants took the series opener, 7-2. It was about as miserable a night as could be for late July. Wind, rain, and bad baseball.

WORLEY IMPLODES

–Vance Worley couldn’t hold it together after a fine early part of the game. He retired 11 straight at one point, but fell apart over the fifth and sixth innings. It culminated in a Brandon Crawford grand slam with one out in the sixth. You can second guess Charlie Manuel for leaving him in the game, but really what does it matter. There’s no sense in beating a dead horse. Charlie’s options are severely limited and he’s trying to get as much out of a supposed strength (his starters) as possible.

-Worley’s final line: six innings, six hits, six runs – perhaps the handiwork of ol’ Lucifer himself. Worley struck out nine, but also walked three while tossing a career-high 119 pitches. Perhaps by leaving Worley in past his expiration, he was sending a message to the powers that be that he’s being hung out to dry. It could be noted that Worley was very close on a few pitches in the sixth. No matter, he couldn’t make pitches when necessary.

NOTHING DOING ON OFFENSE

-The Phillies first run came on a gift as Tim Lincecum stumbled on the mound, pushing Shane Victorino

home from third on a balk. Not sure I’ve ever seen that.

–Ryan Howard‘s home run stroke is slowly regaining steam. He launched a blast to dead center field off Lincecum, his second of the season. His average is below .200, but think of this as spring training for Howard. The Big Piece is still finding that big swing.

–Chase Utley just missed a home run to right field in the first inning, putting it just short of the foul pole and to the right. Perhaps if it were 10 degrees warmer and the wind were not blowing stiff to left field, that would have made the first row. Alas.

-Lincecum is having, by far, his most dreadful season. That didn’t stop him from going seven strong, allowing just two runs and five hits. He’s about as hittable as they come, having given up 19 first inning runs this season. His ERA was nearly six before the start. The Phillies could do damage.

Pat Gallen

Pat joined Phillies Nation in July 2009, coming over from Examiner.com. As a previous employee of both Comcast SportsNet and the National Basketball Association, Pat prides himself on being a well-rounded individual when it comes to sports. However, the Phillies are first on the list. You’ll usually find Pat chiming in on the Phillies Nation Facebook or Twitter account, weekdays on 97.3 ESPN radio or hosting Phillies Nation TV. He’s also a Senior Writer for the site, and in his free time is a music enthusiast and Will Ferrell movie-follower. His favorite beer: Philly’s own Yards. In 2015, Pat moved on from Phillies Nation as a sports anchor and reporter for CBS-3 in Philadelphia.