The Phillies resurgence has hit a serious pothole in Phoenix.
Last night the Phils got blown out for the second straight night by the Diamondbacks. This one got ugly fast, and at the center of it was starting pitcher David Buchanan.
Saying Buchanan was not good is something akin to saying interest is building in the visit by Pope Francis. In this instance, Buchanan and the Phillies didn't have a prayer.
The Phils starter got shelled for 11 runs in the second inning on the way to a humiliating 13-1 loss. It's hard to believe the Phils actually got out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. It was all downhill from there.
In his defense, Buchanan was not helped by defensive gaffes by Darrin Ruf in misplaying a line drive in left, and Chase Utley, who failed to handle a bounced toss at second from shortstop Freddy Galvis.
But he did give up 10 hits in the second inning, including a grand slam to David Peralta, one of two Buchanan surrendered.
He did not get out of the second, but not before becoming the first Phillies pitcher to allow 11 or more earned runs since 1947.
The Phillies were a gaudy 12-5, the best record in baseball, coming off the All-Star break. But they have now been torched two straight nights in Phoenix, and in each case the problem has been pitching. Remember, they don't have Cole Hamels to trot out there every fifth day anymore.
Aaron Harang was blasted Monday night, and Buchanan was absolutely pyrotechnic last night.
Adding injury to insult was an injury to slugger Maikel Franco, who had to leave the game after being hit on the wrist by a pitch. An MRI came up negative but Franco is nursing a sore hand. It's not sure if he'll be in the lineup today when the series wraps up with an afternoon game in the desert.
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