Sunday, June 21, 2009

Phillies Recap: Orioles-6, Phillies-5

Game Recap:
Ryan Howard's pinch hit three run home run in the seventh inning put the Phillies on top, but Ryan Madson gave up three runs in the ninth inning to send the Phils to their fifth straight loss.

What went right?

Chase Utley went 1-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Shane Victorino was 2-4 with a run scored.

Greg Dobbs went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Ryan Howard, who was hospitalized early on Saturday, hit a pinch hit three run home run in his only at bat.

J.A. Happ had a "hold on for dear life" game, but he pitched ok, allowing only two runs on ten hits. He walked four and struck out four.

What went wrong?

Ryan Madson blew his second straight save, giving up three runs in the top of the ninth inning on two home runs.

Jimmy Rollins went 0-3.

Jayson Werth was 0-4.

Pedro Feliz went 0-4.

Game Analysis:

Ok, I am officially sick of the way the Phillies have been playing on this homestand. One win in eight games is not good enough, even with the Mets sucking almost as badly. The issue is the Phillies are playing teams that they should beat, and they're not getting it done.

Look at last night...before the seventh inning, the Phillies managed all of two hits against a rookie pitcher. Then, after getting a clutch pinch hit home run from a man who was in the hospital before the game, the bullpen blew it again. Last year, the Phils were 78-0 when leading after eight innings. This year, they're 28-6. Those numbers right there are the difference between a World Series championship team, and a team that gets knocked out early in the playoffs. The mojo has worn off, something has to change. Ryan Madson isn't effective (in fact, I called the home run that gave Baltimore the lead right before it was hit), Raul Ibanez is on the DL, Ryan Howard is in the hospital again today and Jimmy Rollins is just off this year. I'm just glad that people finally realized the honeymoon is over, because maybe a bunch of pissed off fans will be just what this team needs to wake them up.

Today, Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.48 ERA) takes on Jeremy Guthrie (4-7, 5.42 ERA). Please Cole...just pitch the whole game.

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