OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS; PHILLIES DON’T ANSWER (POST 8/24/10)

August 24, 2010   ·   philliesmania   ·   Jump to comments

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PHILLIES GAK A CHANCE TO CASH IN ON A VERY GOOD BLANTON START AND A BRAVES LOSS!

 

PHILLIES LOSE 3 to 2. REALLY 2 runs? …………….

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Okay again, I want to clarify I am not trying to be overly critical or negative but I also cannot hide my disappointment with such a lame offensive output. 2 runs from this offense is inexplicable and pretty sad. Oh of course you will occasional hit a hot pitcher but the bunches of games like these this team puts together is embarrassing. This is seriously Pirate like!

 

So we are still trying to forget the horrific drought they displayed in June and yet we must face the harsh reality of  just the last week. Yes a week when crunch time has officially began! Examine the last week’s production compared to the far weaker line up of the Pirates and to the team ahead of them, the Braves. Sadly the comparison is uncomfortably close with the Pirates. Notice the Braves offense is a little more productive. 

 

Tuesday = Phillies score 9 runs - WIN  (Pirates scored 0) (Braves 10)

Wednesday = 8 runs – WIN       (Pirates scored 2)    (Braves 3)

Thursday = 2 runs in a LOSS   (Pirates scored 2)      (Braves 2)

Friday = 1 run in a WIN            (Pirates scored 2)       (Braves 5)

Saturday = 1 run in a LOSS      (Pirates scored 1)       (Braves 4)

Sunday = 6 runs – WIN              (Pirates scored 1)       (Braves 16)

Monday = 2 runs – LOSS           (Pirates scored 2)       (Braves 4)

 

Please understand I do not live and die with just wins and losses but I do get emotional when an offense of this caliber scores 3 runs or less. Which they have done 4 out of the LAST 5 GAMES! The only reason the Phillies are hanging within 2 or 3 games of Atlanta is the pitching has been very good as of late when it comes to runs allowed.

 

 

The Phillies offense has to be better or at least live up to their reputation. Especially when you are playing the garbage teams that you are now! COME ON FELLOWS break out the hitting shoes! At least put up a 4 spot more often. Yes it is a humbling sport and you are going to have your 1 run, 2 run games, or even be shut out now and again. But stop bunching it together!

 

 

And I feel really bad for Blanton who pitched his second strong outing and actually looked like he had a clue. In kind of looked like he had at stretches of 2009 which was pretty solid. This is the best you are going to get from Blanton you can’t waste these opportunities! I mean last Saturday’s game you Kendrick Hyde instead of Jekyll and you stunk it up at the plate. So be it, you would have lost had you scored 4 most likely anyhow.

 

 

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
J Blanton	7.0	6	1	1	0	9	0	100-68	5.32
R Madson (L, 4-2; B, 4)	1.0	3	2	2	0	1	0	16-10	3.58
B Lidge	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	14-9	3.99

 

Suffice to say Madson did not have a great outing but in the end your pitchers still held your opponent to 3 runs! Nice to see Lidge’s ERA has finally dipped to under 4 for the season too! And Blanton’s is under 6 for a few weeks now!

 

 

Speaking of Offense:

 

• 1o hits and 2 walks should result in more than 2 runs

• Rollins was 2 for 5

• Utley had a hit and an RBI

• Werth was 2 for 4 wit a double

• Ibanez was 1 for 4

• Ruiz hit a huge solo HR and was 1 for 2 with both walks.  1 was Intentional!

• Valdez had a hit

• Dom Brown had a pinch hit single

• Blanton had a single and got nailed at the plate

• Phillies K’d 9 times almost half of them HOWARD!

• 1 for 7 with men in scoring position – Surprised?

 

Speaking of Baserunning:

 

1. With Blanton at 3rd and Rollins at 2nd, Victorino hit a hard ground ball to the first basemen. Now I am sorry and I understand it was the pitcher running but no one would have had a shot at scoring on that ball. Why did Blanton run? Please tell me Perlazzo did not send him! Which I believe he may have since the broadcasters did not have the guts to call Blanton on a bad decision to run. He was toast at home by at least 6 FT!

2. Jayson Werth was on 2nd and the Astros decide to walk the hot hitting Ruiz. On the 4th Intentional ball Werth was casually sauntering back to the 2nd base bag. Astros catcher Humbert Quintero saw Werth lolly-gagging with his head down and threw his sorry butt out! That was a big time goof!

 

 

So here we are playing the Astros or as I call them the team formerly known as the Phillies, since half the line up and rotation seems to have come from the Phillies. Tonight it’s Hamels vs  6 and 7, 5.23 ERA Bud Norris! If they don’t score at least 5 they should all retire immediately after the game. LOL

 

 

PS – I’ll be in the park tonight so I hope they come through for selfish reasons!