Game Recap:
Cliff Lee was knocked around for seven runs as the Phillies dropped the second game of their four game series against the Brewers.
What went right?
Ryan Howard was 2-4 with three RBI.
Jimmy Rollins was 1-5 and scored twice.
Third string catcher Paul Hoover went 2-3.
What went wrong?
Ben Francisco was 0-3.
Cliff Lee lasted six innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits. He didn't walk a batter and struck out six.
The Phillies struck out eight times and left seven men on base.
Game Analysis:
It was not the best game for Cliff Lee last night. After starting out 5-0 and wowing everyone with his stuff, everyone's favorite new Phillie has come back down to Earth, and at the worst possible time. In September, Lee is 2-2 with a 5.59 ERA. He has only walked three batters, but he's been getting hit around more and more as the season comes to a close. He has got to get himself back in the zone as the Phillies get closer and closer to the playoffs. I'm not sure what has to be done, but something obviously isn't working right now. He's getting hit a lot and leaving more pitches hanging and out over the plate. Last night was another example of that, as the Brewers jumped on him for four runs in the first inning, putting the Phillies in a hole early.
It didn't help that that the offense decided to take another night off, save for Ryan Howard. The big man drove in another three runs last night, and had the first hit of the game for the Phillies in the fourth inning. Of course, Cliff Lee gave up a three run home run in the bottom of the fifth to put the game out of reach, but if the offense could have done what it's capable of, Lee probably would have been able to settle down a bit more and not have to worry about leaving so many pitches out over the plate.
There isn't much else to say about the game last night, other than the fact that it appears Brad Lidge has been moved into a mopup role in the bullpen. I have to say it's about freaking time that happened. Lidge could not be trusted anymore to close games, and if you listen to Charlie Manuel and Ruben Amaro, it's possible that J.A. Happ could be the closer during the playoffs. Now, I'm not saying that's a bad idea, and considering the other options the Phillies have, it might be the best thing they can do, but I hate to see such a good arm come out of the starting playoff rotation. Of course, there's no way the Phils would throw three lefthanders out there in a best of five series. It just doesn't make any sense to do that. Hopefully, Pedro Martinez will be able to pitch in the playoffs then, because it seems like that's the way the Phillies are leaning right now.
Last night was just one of those frustrating games where nothing seemed to go right. The Phillies were held without a hit for three innings by Manny freaking Parra, Cliff Lee got lit up like a Christmas tree, and the team just seemed like they were going through the motions. There's only nine games left this season, so the Phils had better kick it up a notch, and fast.
Tonight, Kyle Kendrick (2-1, 2.70 ERA) makes the start for Pedro Martinez against Braden Looper (13-7, 5.12 ERA).
No comments:
Post a Comment