Game Recap:
Cole Hamels didn't make it out of the third inning last night, allowing six runs as the Mets handed the Phillies their first loss of the season.
What went right?
Placido Polanco went 1-4 with an RBI.
Raul Ibanez was 2-4.
Kyle Kendrick pitched well in long relief, giving up just two hits and no runs in two and a third innings of work. He walked one and struck out one.
What went wrong?
Shane Victorino was 0-5.
Ryan Howard went 0-4 with three strikeouts.
Carlos Ruiz was 0-3.
Cole Hamels had a rough outing for his first start of the year. He allowed six runs on seven hits in two and two-thirds innings. He walked two, struck out three and allowed three stolen bases.
David Herndon continued to make me wonder why he's on the team, allowing a run on two hits in an inning of work.
The Phillies struck out nine times as a team and left nine men on base.
Game Analysis:
Everyone knew that the Phillies would lose a game this season eventually, but no one wanted it to be against the Mets, especially in the fashion that last night's game was played. Cole Hamels didn't make it through three innings, and the offense looked lifeless against Chris Young as the Phils dropped their first game of the year.
Really, the issues with this game begin and end with Cole Hamels. Hamels didn't have his best stuff from the start, putting runners on first and second with no outs in the first inning. He got out of that jam and then worked a 1-2-3 second inning before the roof caved in during the third. The first four batters that came to the plate reached base, including pitcher Chris Young, and by the time the second out had been recorded, five runs had scored. Young actually came up twice in the inning, and his second single of the frame drove in the sixth run and ended the night for Hamels. Kyle Kendrick and rest of the bullpen helped stop the bleeding, but it was too late.
It's only one start, but it was a rough night for Cole Hamels. He's shown in the past that he can have some trouble bouncing back from rough starts, but he didn't look too upset after last night, which is actually a good thing. A starting pitcher can not get too upset over just one bad start, especially in April. Every pitcher will get hit around at least three or four times during the season, so maybe it's a good thing that Cole already got one of those games out of his system.
Of course, the offense didn't give Hamels much support, either. Chris Young didn't go six innings, but he struck out seven and only allowed one run while he was in the game. Young has had injury problems in the past, but when he's healthy, he can be a solid number two pitcher or potential ace for any team. Last night showed what he can do. Ryan Howard was useless, striking out three times in his first 0-the game of the season, and Shane Victorino wasn't much better, adding three strikeouts of his own. The entire offense just looked off, and while this was just one game, they need to bounce back tonight against New York. The Phillies can't let the Mets get into their heads with a second straight win in Philadelphia.
The Phillies will be looking for a bounce back win tonight against the Mets. Joe Blanton makes his first start of the year, while Mike Pelfrey (0-1, 10.38 ERA) is starting for the second time for the Mets.
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