Everything that has been wrong with this Phillies season was on full display last night in another dismal, dispiriting loss to the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Another Cliff Lee start, another no-decision. The Phillies wasted seven and two-thirds decent innings from Lee, who still has just two wins against seven losses. He left last night with the Phils clinging to a 4-3 lead. That lasted all of two batters.
Lee surrendered two home run balls, but little else in scattering five hits and giving up three runs.
Then there’s third base. It’s still a problem. By all rights the Phils should have been out of the eighth with that 4-3 advantage intact. But Kevin Frandsen booted a ground ball that would have ended the inning. It's a shame because Franden had three hits to lead the Phils' offense. But his error ended Lee’s night.
Enter the recurring bullpen nightmare. Skipper Charlie Manuel went to reliever Josh Lindblom, who issued an intentional walk to load the bases. Of course Corey Hart hit a ball that barely eluded the glove of Domonic Brown in right field for a grand slam. And yes, a more accomplished outfielder may have made the leaping grab at the wall.
7-4 Brewers. Game, set and match.
All this and not a word about Jimmy Rollins and his lack of hustle on a couple of plays Wednesday night.
Manuel says he talked to Rollins Thursday but decided to keep him in his lineup. It’s too late for the Phillies to start cracking the whip on J-Roll. They signed off on his act when they coughed up that lucrative extension last winter. You know what you are going to get with Rollins – an unorthodox leadoff hitter, who will lead off some games with a home run, but will also fail to run out some ground balls.
In the meantime, that Wild Card glimmer of hope is starting to look more like a mirage.
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