The Phillies lost their second straight game on Saturday night, falling 2-1 to the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta left-hander Mike Minor had the Philadelphia offense baffled most of the night, allowing just one run on four hits over eight innings. The loss drops the Phils to 45-56, 15.5 games out of the division and 11.5 games out of the Wild Card.
- If you haven’t done so already, you can now stick a fork into the Phillies’ remaining playoff hopes. In spite of their improved play of late, they only fall further and further behind in the standings.
- Once again, the Phillies can’t get it done against a quality opponent. Although the team has been better and picked up eight wins since the All-Star break, five of those victories have come against mediocre teams like the Rockies and Brewers. Anytime the Phillies have been matched up against one of the top teams in the National League, they’ve lost almost every series.
- The good news is that Joe Blanton turned in a stellar outing in his final start before the trade deadline, allowing just two runs on four hits over six innings. The right-hander has now given up three runs or less in six of his last eight starts, and is an appealing option for a contender looking to improve their rotation depth.
- Chase Utley supplied the Phils’ lone run of the night with a solo home run in fourth inning, his fifth of the season.
- The pitching staff didn’t surrender a home run to Atlanta’s Brian McCann for the first time in six games. Well done, Joe.
- It was just a wretched performance by the bats tonight. Just four hits, and no walks.
- Shane Victorino had a throwing error, and Ryan Howard missed a catch. It wouldn’t be a typical painful 2012 Phillies loss without a couple of errors in the field. But at least they didn’t come from the third baseman tonight.
kind of a broker record Denny.. I think I counted 3 Series wins all yer against teams with .500 Or better records.. Fans have to face reality, this 2012 Team is just not very good and the rest of NL East has caught and past the Phils as I stated back in the Spring.. Check the Nats/Braves Rosters, very few playres old than 32 years and most of their Position PLayers are under30 and are just hitting their primes, meanwhile the Phils Position Players will all be another year older next year and are on thee way down from their top Productive years… It is what it is, which is not good enough to make the Playoffs and to be honest, this 2012 doesn’t deserve to make the PLayoffs.. They would have to win 40 of their remaining 61 games to finish with 85 Wins to have a shot at a Wildcard.. It’s not oging to happen.. Even if they play .600 Ball for the rest of season gets them to about 80 Wins..
lol @ paulman
how many times do i have to tell you, no one gives a flying f what you stated
Someone has to tell it like it is and I have been consistent with my criticism of the Phils since Feb/march and felt their weaknesses were too big to overcome for the 2012 Season. I am interested in seeing how they perform over the final 60 games for there are a ton of ??? for the future for this Franchise ..Can they get younger, more athletic and generate some more consisten power and runs by relying on the “Core PLayers” all coming back anad bring healthy in 2013.. I don’t think so for most of these players have peaked 2-3 years ago production wise.. Staying with the status quo is not going to make the Phils overtake the Nationals/Braves and even the Mets moving forward..
You always predict doom and gloom. This core is essentially the same one that won 102- injuries, bad luck and sloppy play all contributed. A tweak here or there…