Phils Drop First of Series to D-Backs
Unfortunately, Charlie Manuel could not win the game in which he became the Phillies longest-tenured manager. Cole Hamels didn’t get any help from the offense, as the Phillies dropped the first of a four game series to the Diamondbacks, 2-1. The Phils were only able to collect six hits in total, and made a few baserunning errors in a poor offensive performance.
PITCHERS’ DUEL
Cole Hamels and Patrick Corbin really put on a show, giving up a combined three runs over a combined 12.1 innings. Hamels’ line was 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 3 K. He struggled with giving up walks, but still pitched a pretty good game. Both runs he gave up came on groundouts. Corbin’s line was 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. He had the Phillies hitters guessing every at-bat. He even threw a good amount of fastballs to Ryan Howard, who had an 0-4 night with two strikeouts. Hamels lowered his ERA to 4.18, and Corbin lowered his to 1.75 (!!!).
BASERUNNING BLUNDERS
There were baserunning blunders for both teams. Delmon Young was thrown out trying to stretch a liner down the line into a double, and John Mayberry Jr was thrown out at second on a fielder’s choice by Kevin Frandsen, a play that scored a run but may have been a rally-killer.
Martin Prado was thrown out rounding third when third base coach Matt Williams did not give the stop sign soon enough, causing Prado to put the brakes on too late. Michael Young cut off the throw home and tagged Prado for the out.
MAYBERRY, FRANDSEN DOING THEIR JOB AS PH
John Mayberry Jr and Kevin Frandsen are players that need to be able to contribute as pinch-hitters. In Thursday night’s game, Frandsen had what should’ve been an RBI single (ended up being a fielder’s choice), and Mayberry had a clutch single in the same inning. Although the Phils only got one run out of it, the ability of Frandsen and Mayberry to hit in the clutch is a good sign.
STRUGGLING OFFENSE
The top four hitters in the lineup–Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Michael Young, and Ryan Howard–were a combined 0-14 with two walks. Delmon Young saw–wait for it–SEVEN total pitches in four at-bats. Seven. He had two hits, but that kind of plate discipline is counterproductive most of the time. And it hurt the Phillies tonight, as he was swinging on the first pitch with a new pitcher in the game twice.
As a whole, the Phillies drew just two walks while striking out five times. They saw 116 pitches in 35 plate appearances. The D-Backs saw 140 in 37.
The Phils were 1-8 with runners in scoring position.
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The Phillies are back at it tomorrow, with Tyler Cloyd pitching for the Phils and Ian Kennedy pitching for the D-Backs.
