Game Recap:
Brett Myers didn't have his best stuff, and fell behind early before leaving with a hip injury. Despite two late comeback attempts by the Phillies, the Marlins were able to coast to a 6-2 win and a series win.
What went right?
Carlos Ruiz was 1-4 with his second home run of the season.
Ryan Howard was 2-4.
Matt Stairs was 1-1 with a pinch hit home run and a walk.
What went wrong?
Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Chase Utley, AKA: The Top of the Lineup, went a combined 1-11 with two walks.
Raul Ibanez went 0-4 with two strikeouts.
Brett Myers lasted only 5 and 2-3rds innings before leaving with a hip injury. While he was in there, he allowed five runs on seven hits, while striking out three and walking one. He also allowed two more home runs.
The Phillies left eight men on base, including five in the final two innings.
Game Analysis:
Just not a good game tonight from any perspective for the Phillies. Brett Myers looked sharp for a few innings, then started getting knocked around in the fourth. By the middle of the sixth inning, he was gone with a hip injury, and the Phils were in a hole that they wouldn't be able to climb out of. The only thing I can find now is that Myers left with "right hip inflammation." I'm not exactly sure how severe something like that is, but for a pitcher, both hips need to be as close to 100% as possible, so this isn't good news for Brett. Hopefully he can avoid time on the DL, since that would mean the return of Chan Ho Park to the rotation, but right now, I don't think anyone knows what's going to happen. The Phillies will more than likely take a wait and see approach with Brett, and the off day tomorrow will help, since it pushes his next start back a day.
The offense didn't exactly look sharp tonight, either. Jimmy, Shane and Chase just couldn't get anything going at the top of the lineup, which is a shame, since Ryan Howard had two hits, and while he did get one of those hits with runners on, it was a single to third base, and no one was scoring on that play. If someone had been on for his second hit, though, it would have been another story. Jayson Werth's nasty little slump continued tonight, as he struck out twice. He's got to get things going again, and soon. The Phillies can't have any more inconsistant bats in their lineup, especially since everyone knows Raul Ibanez will eventually start to cool down, and it's starting to look like that point right now. Raul was 0-4 tonight with two strikeouts, and he grounded into a huge double play with the bases loaded in the first inning. If this is a prolonged thing for him, the Phillies will need Jimmy and Jayson to get back on track, because without their main RBI man right now, the offense would come to a sudden and painful stop.
The main concern right now is the health of Brett Myers. As long as it's nothing serious, I won't be worried, but if it's something that requires a trip to the DL, that's not a good thing. I like Chan Ho Park in the bullpen, not near the starting rotation. It just figures that right as the Phillies start getting their starting pitching in order, Brett goes and gets hurt. Plus, the Phillies are now 9-14 at home, which is nowhere near where they should be. Perhaps it's time for us fans to start taking Charlie Manuel's advice:
“I notice sometimes when [the fans] are talking to us around the dugout, they’re always talking about last year and thanking us for winning and all that. Of course, they’re enjoying the game and they love us, but… well, maybe they should get on us a little bit.”
Maybe Phillies need some tough love: Daily News
Everyone hear that? The Phils have an off day tomorrow, but Friday night, when J.A. Happ (2-0, 2.60 ERA) goes against Ross Detwiler (0-0, 2.45 ERA), you give the Phillies hell!
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