I tried to be patient. I really did. I even assumed my favorite spot on the deck with my radio in hopes that the Boys of Summer would show up.
All I got was a cold wind that eventually chased me inside, and a Phillies lineup that continues to have serious problems.
OK, I'm ready to panic.
This is not supposed to happen to Cole Hamels. The Phils' ace, toting that new $140 million contract, went to the hill again yesterday for his second start of this young season. This comes after his dismal start on opening day in Atlanta. Start No. 2 was not much better.
Hamels got torched again, giving up an astounding eight earned runs on nine hits in five and two-thirds innings of work. Hamels' ERA now is an obscene 10.97. It marked the first time in his Phillies career that Hamels has ever given up eight earned runs in an outing.
Hamels was handed a 4-0 when the Phils got to Kansas City starter Jeff Shields for four runs in the first. This is when your ace is supposed to take control and lock this one up, an easy addition to the win column.
Instead Hamels immediately gave back two runs in the third and then was torched in the fifth as the Royals rallied to a 6-4 win.
And it wasn't just Hamels. The Phils' bats again went comatose after putting up that four-spot in the first. By the time they came up for their final stand in the ninth, they were staring at a 9-4 deficit. To their credit, they rallied, sending the 39,451 Phaithful into fits of joy in hopes of seeing a second straight ninth-inning miracle. Jimmy Rollins homered. The Phils got the tying and winning runs into scoring position. But backup catcher Erik Kratz struck out after battling Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera for nine pitches in a classic duel.
You can read Rob Parent's account of the game here.
The Phils now sit at 2-4, looking up at both the Braves and Nationals.
They send former ace Roy Halladay to the mound tonight as they open a series with the Mets. Halladay has been looking to regain the form that made him one of the game' s dominant pitchers.
I don't think he's going to find it. Halladay has to reinvent himself.
If things continue at this pace, it might be time for Phils' GM Ruban Amaro Jr. to consider doing the same with this team.
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