The Phillies bats were, for the most part, silent in the weekend series against the Marlins. Perhaps the Phils got too used to playing the Nationals. After all, they did play six of their first nine games against them. The Phillies now stand at 8-4, only a half a game ahead of the Marlins. After leading the majors in nearly every offensive category, the offense could not capitalize.
Roy Halladay took the mound for Friday's game and stifled the Marlins for the most part. Doc pitched eight stellar innings as he gave up two runs on eight hits and struck out four. Halladay was hoping to go out for the ninth but because of some field maintenance that was done in the eighth, Halladay was pulled. With an 8-2 lead in the ninth, you think it is an easy win from here but that was not the case. David Herndon came in to finish out the win but instead got pummeled for four runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Ryan Madson entered the game and got the final out for his third save of the year but it was another scary one from the pen. Polanco and Utley both homered in this game. It was Utley's sixth of the year. Howard went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and Werth also had two hits on the day.
Saturday's game was Jamie Moyer's chance for redemption. He looked sharp for the most part following the first inning but it was the opening frame that dug the Phils into a hole. Moyer gave up five runs in the first and the offense could only squeeze out one run off in a 5-1 loss. Ricky Nolasco four-hit the Phils through eight innings. A Jayson Werth homer in the ninth would break the shutout. Moyer's game was subpar to start but then he regained form for the following five innings of work. He ended up giving up those five on six hit but managed to strikle out seven. This loss denied Moyer career win #260. Nelson Figueroa pitched two scoreless innings and Chad Durbin pitched a scoreless ninth.
Sunday's game may have been a loss but it was definitely a morale win for Cole Hamels. After getting two wins in his first two starts where he gave up a bunch of runs, Hamels was in top form and managed to get the loss. Cole pitched eight innings of two-run ball. He also fanned eight Marlins batters. A Dan Uggla homer would be the difference in the Marlins 2-0 win. The Phillies had chances to score but did not take advantage as they were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Carlos Ruiz lined a ball that was caught in right center but Jayson Werth read it wrong and failed to tag up on the play. That would have made the game 1-1 after the throw from the outfield was way off of the target. Instead, Werth was stranded since Hamels was next at bat. The Phillies bats managed only four hits. Hamels pitched eight and Madson struck out two in a scoreless ninth. So a stellar outing by Cole Hamels is wasted with the silence of the bats.
APTER THOUGHTS: This weekend's series showed exactly what a 162-game season does. The early, meaningless regular season games will find a team like the Phils in a slump. Losers of three of their past four, the Phillies now head to Atlanta to meet Jason Heyward and the Braves.
I am not too worried about the lack of offense because I honestly do not think it will last but the pitching continues to scare me. Even though Moyer settled in, a five spot in the first inning is unacceptable, no matter how much you recover. Hamels looked so muxh better, throwing 102 pitches, 72 for strikes. Halladay is just being himself and is now 3-0 in three starts.
I apologize to those readers who expect game recaps but with my job, it is tough. Let's hope these Phillies bats come alive in Atlanta because they have a tough squad down there.
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