The Phillies saw their two-game winning streak snapped on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-4 to the Miami Marlins. The Phils jumped out to a 3-0 lead after three innings, but watched their lead slip away as the previously red-hot Cole Hamels struggled in his final innings of work.
- Cole Hamels started strong with three scoreless innings, but allowed five earned runs in his final 3.2 frames. It was just the second loss of the season for the ace, and his ERA shot up to 2.81.
- Hamels gave up two homeruns to Miami’s Hanley Ramirez, and allowed Jose Reyes and Justin Ruggiano to pick up RBI doubles. The lefthander just didn’t have his best stuff today, and was unable to sustain the dominate level of pitching he’s displayed all season.
- Both of Hamels’ losses this season have come against the Marlins. He’s 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA against the Fish.
- The Phillies got another decent performance from their lineup, scoring four runs on nine hits, and also working three walks.
- Jimmy Rollins picked up two hits and drove in a run. He’s on a six-game hitting streak, and has had multiple hits in three of those games. It’s good to see the former MVP finally begin to heat up.
- Hunter Pence had yet another productive game out of the three-hole, hitting his 13th homer of the year, driving in two runs, and drawing a walk.
- Placido Polanco was dropped to the seventh spot in the order today, but had another multi-hit game, going 2-4 and scoring a run.
- Carlos Ruiz finally cooled off a bit today, finishing 0-4 with an RBI. His hitless effort put an end to his six-game hitting streak.
- The Phillies announced today that reliever Jose Contreras is likely done for the season with a torn ligament in his elbow. It looks like the end of the line for the veteran reliever.
Phils missed a great opportunity to snatch the Series with their Ace on the Hill against Nolasco who the Phils have had good success against over the years.. and now fall to 8-7 in the “Paulman’s 23 Game Stretch” to detrermine if the Phils will Repeat as NL Champions.. Hamels obviously did not have his best stuff on a day they could have really used his best effort..
A concern has to be the amount of Home Runs this Phils Starting Staff gives up… From Hamels,Lee,Balnton and Kendrick, they give up too many long balls and especially when the Phils line-up is likely not able to match their opponents power.. As silly as this sounds, today’s rubber match game is a very important one for the Phils, Blanton vs Zambrano soulnd like a lot of hits and runs will be scored and Phils need to squeeze the game out to win their 3rd Series in the Row… To drop the Series after winning Game 1 with Kendrick and Hamels on tap is a missed opportunity… On a positive note
the Phils next 7 Games are 4 at home versus the slumping Dodgers who will not have CF Matt Kemp availalbe and have been scuffling latelty and then 3 Games at Baltimore Orioles who also have been struggling with their Pitching and RF N Markikis out with a broken wrist.. Phils are catching both these teams at a good time and need to take full advantage and finish this “23 Game Stretch” on a roll and possibly go 14-9 overall during this stretch..
If they split these games and finish 12-11 or worse, then it’s probably reinforces that this Team is simply an average squad playing .500 ball or slightly better and about a 85 Win Season which won’t win the NL East or probably even qualify for a Wild-Card Spot…
Bad loss today.. Why does Manager Manuel continue to think that Blanton can go past 6 Innings, Get 5-6 Innings and get him out.. He gave up 2 HR today as this Staff continues to give up long ball.. They now lost the Series to the Marlins after winning the 1st game and at home and fall to 8-8 over this “Paulman 23 Game Stretch” to determine if Phils will repeat as NL East Champions..
Phils are back to 1 game over .500 and need to win this Series and epsecially at home… Things are not looking good for a 85 Win Season..