Game Recap:
Cole Hamels couldn't make it out of the fifth inning, and the bullpen gave up three additional runs as the Phillies dropped Game Three of the World Series last night to fall behind 2-1 to New York.
What went right?
Jayson Werth was 2-4 with two solo home runs.
Carlos Ruiz went 1-2 with a home run, two walks and two runs scored.
Jimmy Rollins went 1-4 with an RBI on a bases loaded walk.
What went wrong?
Chase Utley went 0-4.
Ryan Howard was 0-4 with three strikeouts, making him 2-13 with nine strikeouts in the World Series.
Raul Ibanez went 0-4.
Cole Hamels was ineffective...again. He lasted only 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out three.
The bullpen wasn't much better, as they allowed the Yankees to score an additional run in the next three innings, making a comeback that much harder.
Game Analysis:
For three innings, everything was going perfectly. The Phillies had Andy Pettitte on the ropes, tagging him for three runs in the second inning, and Cole Hamels was cruising through the Yankee lineup like the 2008 version of Cole, not allowing a hit. Then, the fourth inning got here, and it all fell apart. Cole walked Mark Teixeira on a close 3-2 pitch and followed that up with a two run shot from Alex Rodriguez. The homer was first called a double, because it hit off of a horribly placed camera down the right field line, but the correct call was eventually made. Cole seemed like he could bounce back after that, as he retired the next two batters to get out of the inning, but the fifth was his undoing.
Cole would only record one more out before surrendering a base hit to Andy Pettitte that clearly shook him up. After a single by Derek Jeter, a two run double by Johnny Damon and a walk to Mark Teixeira, Hamels was finished for the game, and possibly the season. Of course, the bullpen wasn't much better, as they allowed a run in each of the next three innings, which made home runs by Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz meaningless. Game Two was defined by the lack of offense the Phillies gave Pedro Martinez, but last night was all about the failure of the pitching staff, namely Cole Hamels.
Does anyone else feel warm and fuzzy inside if the Phillies do force a Game Seven and Cole is on the mound, at Yankee Stadium? I know I don't. Having him pitch at least a little bit like the World Series MVP from last year was a key to the series, and once again, he was not up to the task. This year in the playoffs, Cole is 1-2 with a 7.58 ERA, a far cry from the pitcher who dominated Milwaukee, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay last year in the playoffs. Last night, he decided to go back to his shaky curveball, and the Yankees ate it up. Alex Rodriuez's home run? Curveball. Andy Pettitte's base hit. Curveball. Right now, Cole has no control over that pitch, and if he does get another chance to step on the mound during this World Series, I don't want to see any damn curveballs.
The other thing that's concerning me right now is just the production of Ryan Howard. The big man tore through the National League in the playoffs, but against the Yankees, he has just two hits and nine strikeouts. He looks lost at the plate again, and the bat that guided the Phillies back to the World Series has gone ice cold. Jayson Werth hit two home runs last night, and both were with no one on base. That has to change for this team to win. The Phillies live and die by the home run, and right now, they're dying by it. They had Andy Pettitte at 50 pitches through two innings last night, and he threw just 54 pitches in the next four innings. The Phillies got impatient at the plate and stopped making him work. They are going to have to get that turned around, starting tonight.
I know this series is not over yet, but it's the first time since 2007 that the Phils have trailed in a playoff series. This team does well with their backs against the wall, so I haven't given up yet. They just have to take it one game at a time, starting tonight. Joe Blanton (0-0, 4.66 ERA) is taking on C.C. Sabathia (3-1, 1.52 ERA). Sabathia's pitching on short rest, so hopefully the Phillies can get to him. If not, then Monday night is going to be their last stand.
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