Harang Solid Again, But Offense Kept Quiet

Aaron Harang was solid yet again in his second start in a Phillies uniform, pitching six innings of one-run ball against the Mets. While solid on the mound, Harang was unable to help his cause at the plate when he botched a bunt with runners on first and second, which allowed Met’s starting pitcher Jacob deGram to get the lead out at third. Ben Revere appropriately followed with a fly ball to center field, which would’ve likely tied the game at one.

Ryan Howard and Chase Utley’s struggles at the plate continued, as they went 1 for 7 with one walk on the day. Howard had a fluke single that ricocheted off the first base bag, and hit a ball to left field that would’ve resulted in a two-run home run at Citizens Bank Park. Other than that, the veteran three and four hitters for the Phillies continue to struggle. Ben Revere also continued to struggle at the plate, and left five runners on base in his four at-bats.

The bright spots for the offense were Cody Asche and Freddy Galvis, who continued their hot hitting from the bottom of the order, going 5 for 7.

Jeanmer Gomez was solid in relief of Harang, pitching two innings and giving up one earned run, which was the result of an error by Utley on a dead double play ball.

In other news, a rowdy Mets fan decided it would be acceptable to toss beer on Grady Sizemore as he fielded a ball in right field.

This may bring flashbacks back to when Shane Victorino was the victim of a similar act of disrespect at Wrigley Field back in 2009.  There’s a fine line between verbal abuse and physical abuse. As a fan, heckling a player is nothing new. Every fan base does it. However, physically tossing a beer on a player is not only idiotic, it’s dangerous and disrespectful. Keeping that in mind, an action such as this should not reflect on the fan base as a whole. It is solely the individual committing the act that is responsible. If people decide to reward the individual with applause after the fact, then shame on them as well. We may hate the Mets and their fans as Phillies fans, but don’t let the actions of an individual speak for the masses.

The Phillies and Mets resume their series tomorrow at 7:10, as David Buchanan duels Matt Harvey.