Somebody forgot to tell Kyle Kendrick that they held the home run derby last week.
The consistently shaky Phils’ starter got torched last night, giving up three home runs to four Cardinals batters in a disastrous fifth inning, resulting in another Phils loss. They have now lost four of five since the All-Star break.
For some reason with a runner on second and first base open, the Phils opted to let Kendrick pitch to All-Everything Cardinal Albert Pujols. Not a good idea. The resounding sound of Pujols’ bat connecting with Kendrick’s pitch thundered throughout the stadium. Pujols’ blast was followed two batters later by back-to-back dingers by Allen Craig and Skip Schumaker.
Game, set and match. A 3-0 Phils lead in the first inning resulted in an 8-4 loss.
And that might not be their biggest concern.
After the game, shortstop Jimmy Rollins decided to visit the notion of some in the media as well as some fans writing off the Phils.
“It’s not over,” Rollins said. “It’s not over. You can write that it’s over. But the guys with the bats and the balls they control what the pen says.”
Actually Jimmy, they don’t. They control what happens on the field. And what has been happening on the field looks increasingly like a team in desperate need of having a message delivered.
Jayson Werth managed to get picked off first base by the catcher last night. Then there was the decision to pitch to what had been a scuffling Pujols. The Phils continue to sleepwalk through the season. The guys with the pens don’t play, they just report what is going on in the field. And what is going on with the Phils on the field now can’t be written off to injuries or bad luck or anything else. This team for some reason believes it can sleepwalk right into the playoffs. They need to wake up and smell the standings.
Getting the Phils out of their funk now falls in the lap of Manager Charlie Manuel and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Manuel continues to tinker with his lineup, looking for a combination that will provide a spark.
The Phils are now six games back of the Braves in the NL East. They are two back in the wild card standings, with several teams standing between them and a possible post-season berth.
They send Jamie Moyer to the mound tonight. Moyer has been shelled in his last two starts. It would not be a good idea to make it three in a row.
The consistently shaky Phils’ starter got torched last night, giving up three home runs to four Cardinals batters in a disastrous fifth inning, resulting in another Phils loss. They have now lost four of five since the All-Star break.
For some reason with a runner on second and first base open, the Phils opted to let Kendrick pitch to All-Everything Cardinal Albert Pujols. Not a good idea. The resounding sound of Pujols’ bat connecting with Kendrick’s pitch thundered throughout the stadium. Pujols’ blast was followed two batters later by back-to-back dingers by Allen Craig and Skip Schumaker.
Game, set and match. A 3-0 Phils lead in the first inning resulted in an 8-4 loss.
And that might not be their biggest concern.
After the game, shortstop Jimmy Rollins decided to visit the notion of some in the media as well as some fans writing off the Phils.
“It’s not over,” Rollins said. “It’s not over. You can write that it’s over. But the guys with the bats and the balls they control what the pen says.”
Actually Jimmy, they don’t. They control what happens on the field. And what has been happening on the field looks increasingly like a team in desperate need of having a message delivered.
Jayson Werth managed to get picked off first base by the catcher last night. Then there was the decision to pitch to what had been a scuffling Pujols. The Phils continue to sleepwalk through the season. The guys with the pens don’t play, they just report what is going on in the field. And what is going on with the Phils on the field now can’t be written off to injuries or bad luck or anything else. This team for some reason believes it can sleepwalk right into the playoffs. They need to wake up and smell the standings.
Getting the Phils out of their funk now falls in the lap of Manager Charlie Manuel and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Manuel continues to tinker with his lineup, looking for a combination that will provide a spark.
The Phils are now six games back of the Braves in the NL East. They are two back in the wild card standings, with several teams standing between them and a possible post-season berth.
They send Jamie Moyer to the mound tonight. Moyer has been shelled in his last two starts. It would not be a good idea to make it three in a row.
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