Phillies Recap: Mets-7, Phillies-4

Game Recap:
The Mets got to Chan Ho Park early and often, lighting him up for seven runs in four and 2/3 innings to win the first game between New York and Philadelphia this season.

What went right?

Chase Utley hit his eighth home run of the season, and his hot start has pretty much eased any doubt people may have had about his recovery from hip surgery. He also had two walks.

Raul Ibanez hit a two run single in the third inning. He finished the day 1-4 with those two RBI.

The Philadelphia bullpen was again superb, going four and 1/3 innings without giving up a run.

What went wrong?

Chan Ho Park laid another egg, walking six and allowing seven runs in just four and 2/3 innings.

Jimmy Rollins went 0-4 and was picked off of first base after a walk, killing what could have been a solid inning.

The Phillies left 13 men on base and couldn't score when they needed to.

Game Analysis:

After a month of April that saw the Phillies struggle, but finish strong, hopes were high tonight that the momentum could continue, especially against the New York Mets. Well, those hopes were dashed quickly as Chan Ho Park was beaten around Citizens Bank Park early and often. He just didn't look comfortable out there, and his six walks in less than five innings was more than enough to show me that. When you add in the eight hits the Mets had off of Park, that's more than enough damage to win against any pitcher.

Of course, the Phillies had their chances tonight. They left runners on base in alomst every inning, and had Chris Coste thrown out at home during the sixth inning to put a stop to what could have been a solid inning. Instead, they dropped their first game against the Mets, and that's what stings the most for Phillies fans. It's not the fact that the Phils lost, we know that's going to happen. It's the fact that they lost...to the Mets.

I don't know about you, but I'm about done with Chan Ho Park in the starting rotation. Almost every time he's been out there, he's been knocked around, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. It's been a month now, and the experiment has to be nearing an end. J.A. Happ has been solid each time that he's come in to relieve Park, and it may be time to switch those two around. Yes, Park was good in Spring Training, but that was then, and this is now. Teams don't necessarily win the World Series on the strength of their fifth starter, but they can damn sure lose because of it, and as long as Chan Ho Park is starting every five days, I don't feel comfortable. The Phils have to do something about this, and soon.

The Phillies look to bounce back tomorrow against the Mets. The ageless Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.09 ERA) takes on the shaky Oliver Perez (1-2, 9.31 ERA). I'm going to be at a wedding, so I won't be able to watch the game. The groom is a Mets fan, so I'll be rooting for the Phils anyway.