Game Recap:
J.A. Happ pitched eight innings, but gave up a two run home run in the bottom of the eighth that proved to be his undoing last night.
What went right?
Jimmy Rollins went 3-5 and scored a run.
Paul Bako was 2-2 with a solo home run.
J.A. Happ got the loss, but pitched well, allowing three runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out four.
What went wrong?
I'm not going to type this all out, but aside from Rollins and Bako, the offense went a combined 1-26 with nine strikeouts.
The Phillies left eight men on base.
Game Analysis:
J.A. Happ got the loss last night, but it wasn't his fault. The fault for that game lies with the offense and the fact that the Phillies have had problems for a while getting men in from scoring position. Last night, it was more of the same. The Phils loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning and only managed one run. That was a chance to break the game open early and coast, but the Phillies couldn't get it done.
I'm not torn up about the game last night, since it was just another game in August. These things happen to teams, even ones with potent offenses like Philadelphia. However, if it continues to be an issue and costs the Phillies even more games, then it could be a big problem. They had the same issues last year and won the World Series, so I'm not going to worry...yet. At least Happ looked good again last night, even in the loss. The boy can flat out pitch, and aside from that one bad pitch in the eighth inning, he was lights out.
Tonight, the Phils return home for a huge series against the Atlanta Braves. Pedro Martinez (2-0, 5.14 ERA), gets his first big game moment as a Phillie. He'll be taking on Tommy Hanson (9-2, 3.14 ERA). The Phillies need to get this series started the right way, so they can bury the Braves this weekend.
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