Big Piece back, Cloyd leaves in pieces as Phils shellacked in Atlanta

Can we end the Tyler Cloyd experiment now? Thankfully, the young right hander's season likely ended last night.

The Phils rolled him out to face the Braves in the first game of the final series of this ugly season. It did not get any prettier.

Cloyd put up more offense than Peyton Manning. Unfortunately, all the offense belonged to the Braves. Atlanta pounded Cloyd for 7 runs on 8 hits. He failed to get anyone out in the 2nd inning, getting an early shower. At that point, the game was pretty much over. The Phils didn't exactly show a lot of interest in a comeback, putting up just one run in the 7-1 rout.

If the Phillies were looking for an answer in September as to whether Cloyd could be part of their plans for next season, I think he answered them.

With a thud.

If you're looking for silver linings, and don't ask me if I think the Eagles have a shot in Denver, there was a familiar face in the dugout for the Phils last night.

Yes, that was Ryan Howard. The slugger is with the team for this final soiree in Hot-Lanta. No, he's not going to be in the lineup. But he is looking forward to a full comeback after a couple of injury-riddled seasons.

Dennis Deitch checked in with the Big Piece.

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