Phillies Recap: Marlins-2, Phillies-0

Game Recap:
Behind Nate Robertson's strong pitching, the Marlins shutout the Phillies, who wasted the best start Cole Hamels has made this year.

What went right?

Cole Hamels shook off his early season funk, pitching very well despite getting tagged with a loss. He allowed two runs in eight innings on seven hits. He struck out eight and didn't walk anyone.

What went wrong?

Everything else. The Phillies had their chances, but managed only four hits and left nine men on base as a team. I'm not going to break it all down, it just wasn't good. That's what happens when you get shutout.

Game Analysis:

Ugh. That's about all I have to say after this game. I didn't get to see any of it, as I wasn't around to watch, but the fact remains that the Phillies wasted Cole Hamels' best start since he shutout the Dodgers last season. Hamels looked focus and in control for most of the game, pounding the strike zone and being aggressive against the Marlins. Yes, he gave up an early home run to Dan Uggla, but he settled down after that, pitching out of trouble when he had to, and he made it all the way into the ninth inning, where he allowed a leadoff basehit before being taken out of the game. I hate seeing Hamels not get a chance to win this game, but the fact that he was able to pitch like he did back in 2008 gives me confidence that he can pitch like that again on a consistent basis. It's what the Phillies are going to need if they want to play at a high level all season.

Of course, they also need their offense to get back on track, too. I said this would happen eventually, and it looks like this is the first lull that the Phils are having at the plate. After being one of the hottest offensive teams in baseball, the Phillies have scored all of one run in the past two games. Part of it has to do with the pitching of the Marlins; after all, Nate Robertson and Ricky Nolasco are good pitchers. Part of it also has to do with the fact the Jimmy Rollins is not in the lineup. No offense to Juan Castro, but he's not Jimmy Rollins, not the way that Rollins had started this year. Shane Victorino hasn't been swinging the bat well, save for his one great game against Washington, and without the top of the lineup getting on base, the big bats aren't going to have as many chances to drive runs in, and the offense is going to struggle a bit.

I'm not worried at all about this offense, not even close. This team is still stacked, even with Rollins on the DL, and they'll bounce back again. These last two games aren't a trend, so I don't think that there's anything to be concerned about yet. Things aren't going to get any easier on the schedule, though, so the Phillies are going to have to raise their level of play as this month goes on. It's only get to get harder from here.

The Phils have an off day tomorrow, then kick off a three game series with the Atlanta Braves. Kyle Kendrick (0-0, 17.47 ERA) looks for a reason to not be sent to the minor leagues as he faces Tommy Hanson (1-1, 2.38 ERA).