Phillies Recap: Giants-5, Phillies-1

Game Recap:
Roy Halladay suffered his first loss as a member of the Phillies as Jonathan Sanchez and the Giants held Philadelphia to one run and four hits in their second straight loss.

What went right?

Nothing. Shane Victorino had three of the four hits. That's all.

What went wrong?

Aside from Victorino, only Placido Polanco had a base hit.

The Phillies left 11 men on base.

Roy Halladay didn't have his best stuff last night, giving up five runs on ten hits in seven innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out five.

Game Analysis:

Well, we all knew Roy Halladay wasn't going to stay perfect for the entire season, and last night he was dealt his first loss as a Phillie. It wasn't a pretty loss, either, as he gave up five runs, despite still lasting into the seventh inning. Even with his lack of solid pitching last night, this was a game that the Phillies let slip through their hands at the plate once again.

Very few times have I seen the Phillies manage to work a starting pitcher for five walks in six innings and lose a game, but that's what happened last night. Jonathan Sanchez was not sharp with his control, but the Phils helped him out by striking out six times against him and leaving 11 men on base for the game. In total, the Phillies walked seven times during the game, and none of those batters that got a free pass came around to score. In the third inning, the Phils managed to load the bases thanks to a double, a hit batsman and a walk, all with just one out. Not a single runner scored in the inning, thanks to a strikeout by Jayson Werth and a Ben Francisco fly out. That was the theme for the entire night, and that's why the Phils couldn't get anything done yesterday. It wasn't all just Halladay. It was the entire team.

I don't like losing, but at least this slump is coming now. What it's showing me at least is how much the Phillies really do miss Jimmy Rollins at the top of the lineup. Shane Victorino had one of the slower starts for the Phillies at the plate, while Rollins was having the best start of his career. Now, with Rollins out, the burden falls on Victorino, and while he's had a few good games, like the one last night, for the most part, he's struggled in the leadoff spot. What that does is then put more pressure on Placido Polanco and Chase Utley, the two batters behind Victorino, to get on base and extend the inning, rather than try and drive Rollins in from wherever he's managed to land after his at bat. Once Rollins gets back, I think these issues will take care of themselves, and the Phillies will be back to doing what they do well, which is outscoring teams and playing great baseball.

Later tonight, Jamie Moyer (2-1, 5.00 ERA) goes for his third win of the season against Todd Wellemeyer (0-3, 8.16 ERA). At least there's one person for San Francisco who can't pitch that well.