Phillies Recap: Rays-10, Phillies-4

Game Recap:
Antonio Bastardo got knocked around after the Phils spotted him a four run first inning, and the Phillies dropped their tenth game out of their last twelve.

What went right?

Ryan Howard went 1-4 with two RBI.

Pedro Feliz went 2-4 with an RBI.

Matt Stairs was 1-2 with an RBI.

That's about it.

What went wrong?

Shane Victorino went 0-4.

Jayson Werth was 0-3.

Eric Bruntlett was 0-4.

Carlos Ruiz went 0-3.

Antonio Bastardo was hit hard for the third straight time, allowing six runs in less than four innings. He walked three and struck out four.

Game Analysis:

I know this is late, but it took me a while to cool down after that horrible game last night. Plus, I'm in the middle of a ten hour shift, and finally got some computer time. Anyway, the Phillies are in the midst of their worst slump in two years, and nothing seems to be going right. Antonio Bastardo clearly isn't helping anymore, since a pitcher that only knows how to throw fastballs is going to get the crap kicked out of him once teams figure out that's his only pitch. That's happened, and Bastardo needs to go back to the minors, right now.

I don't even really know how to express how I feel about the Phillies right now. They had a chance to put some real ground between themselves and the rest of the NL East. Instead, now there are three other teams within two games of first place...and the Washington Nationals. Either way, this is getting really old. The Phillies should have been at least seven or eight games up on the rest of this division. Now, the other teams are waking up, and the Phils are still asleep. Jimmy Rollins can't hit the ball if it was the size of New Jersey, Raul Ibanez is still hurt, and Chase and Ryan can't do everything if no one else is getting on base. This team is missing that killer instinct that got them the championship last year, and until they find that again, they're going to continue to struggle and give me ulcers.

Tonight, Cole Hamels (4-3, 4.24 ERA) goes for the Phils in Toronto against Ricky Romero (4-3, 3.59 ERA). Please, Cole...do what you did last year. I'm begging you.