The Philadelphia Phillies had their three-game winning streak snapped on Monday night, falling to the Atlanta Braves 9-6. Their record drops to 6-7.
- Roberto Hernandez had another successful start, lasting six innings and allowing two runs on four hits. The veteran did however issue six walks.
- The bullpen returned to form after enjoying a couple of successful outings against the Marlins, allowing seven runs over three innings.
- The offense got the team the lead with a five-run rally in the eighth inning. Tony Gwynn began the inning with a walk, and Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley followed him up with a pair of singles to load the bases. Marlon Byrd singled home two runs, and Domonic Brown capped the inning with a three-run homer.
- Utley finished 2-5, and hit another double, giving him seven for the year.
- Carlos Ruiz went 0-3 with a walk.
- Cody Asche had another 0-for, going 0-4. He’s batting just .189.
- B.J. Rosenberg allowed three solo home runs, and failed to record an out in the seventh inning.
- Mario Hollands took over for Rosenberg, and got out of the seventh with no further damage.
- Luis Garcia, who was just called up, pitched a scoreless eighth.
- Jake Diekman took the loss, giving up a grand-slam to Dan Uggla in the ninth inning. Diekman was the team’s closer with Jonathan Papelbon unavailable after pitching the previous three games.
Final Thoughts
Citizens Bank Park has always been known as a hitters’ ballpark.
With its smaller dimensions, its always been easier for hitters to to have big nights, and regularly launch balls out of the park. Early in the stadium’s life, some complained that it was actually hurting the Phillies more than it was helping them.
However, over the last few years, the size of the ballpark hasn’t been nearly as much of an issue because of the high-quality starting pitching that the Phillies have had.
With rotations stacked with guys like Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt, opposing teams found it much more difficult to knock the ball around at the bank.
But now with a significantly weaker pitching staff, we’re seeing that old problem rear its head again. Earlier in this homestand, Ryan Braun had a night where he hit three bombs in one game. Last night, the Braves hit a combined five homers off of three different pitchers.
With a weak rotation, and a young bullpen, the home fans could see a lot of nights like this over the summer.
Uggla wouldn’t hit the fastball he was waiting for the off speed pitch
the Phils might struggle all year with trying to get over the .500 apex
I hav predicted the Phils to win Approx 75 Games and finish in a Battle with the Marlins for the Basement.. At least they are more exciting to watch this Season than last… I rather see 8-6 Losses than 3-1 Losses of Last Year
atlantas offense blows and washington is overrated. i think phils can stay relevant if they can figure something out with this bullpen
Not sure what you mean Henski
Braves have a solid Offense with the Heyward, Freeman,Simmonds, Johnson, Catcher Gaddis.. If they get any consistency from the Upton Twins, they win in a cake-walk… And Uggla is a HOF versus the Phils
not sold on gattis, the guy batted 243 last year
freeman is a beast
heyward fucking stinks
simmons is a 265 hitter tops
chris johnson is average at best
and the upton brothers will never be consistent and they both blow especially BJ
their outfield is a joke all 3 are good for around 150ks a year.
phillies gonna have a better record at year end than the braves bro. they blow. they got good relievers and outside of that their team is average at best
Gattis > Ruiz
Freeman > Howard
Simmonds > Rollins
Johnson > Ashe
Utley > Uggla
OF – More Power #’s from Heyward & Uptons (65 HR’s 200 RBI’s Collectively)
Phils OF of Byrd,Brown, Gwynn/Rever more like 50 HR’s and 160 RBI’s Collectively..
mh, what is your definition of staying relevant, competing for 4th place? They are old, no speed, have little-no power, no energy, are lifeless, no BP, mediocre starting pitching, & are butchers in the field! What’s there not to like?