Much has been made of the Phillies offensive woes this year. Without two of their big guns - Chase Utley and Ryan Howard – all season, the Phils’ normal howitzer lineup has been reduced to popgun status.
And a lot has been made of the bullpen problems this team has struggled with, especially middle relief. Getting from their starters to closer Jonathan Papelbon has been a daily adventure.
But not nearly as much has been made of another big problem with this team. They can’t catch the ball.
Once again yesterday an error in the bottom of the 10th inning opened the door to another Phillies loss. The injuries to Placido Polanco, who got spiked last week and is nursing a nasty cut on his finger, and Freddy Galvis, who has played a stellar second base, get bigger every day.
Ty Wigginton is a disaster at third. It seems like everyone the Phils trot out to second base takes a turn booting balls.
The Phils lost two straight extra-inning affairs after winning the opener in Baltimore. They now sit a distant eight games out of first place.
Pretty soon they will need binoculars to see the Nationals at the top of the NL East heap.
By the time Utley and Howard get back, the season might be lost.
You can read Jack McCaffery’s account of yesterday’s loss in Baltimore here.
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