Too Little, Too Late: Marlins 3, Phillies 2

by WholeCamels on Aug 7, 2009 10:33 PM EDT Comment 13 comments

Giving up runs late in the game and losing will tear your heart out, but coughing up runs early and then settling in can mean you just get bled to death. And that's what happened to the Phillies tonight. On the night the Phillies honored legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas with a posthumous induction into the Phillies Wall of Fame, Phillies starter Joe Blanton got off to a rough start, giving up two runs in the first on a solo home run to Nick Johnson, followed by a Dan Uggla RBI double on a ball misplayed by Raul Ibanez in left field. Blanton then allowed a third run on a leadoff homer by Cody Ross in the second inning. Fortunately, that's all the offense the Marlins could muster.

Unfortunately, it was enough.

Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco was on point all night, striking out seven Phillies and only allowing four hits. One of those hits -- new Phillie Ben Francisco's two run homer in the seventh -- made the score 3-2. And that's where the score stayed.

The Phillies threatened in the bottom of the eighth, with Jayson Werth and Chase Utley reaching base on walks, only to see Ryan Howard strike out and Raul Ibanez ground out to end the almost-rally.

All in all, and underwhelming showing on the first night of Phillies Alumni Weekend.

Jimmy Rollins saw his hitting streak end at 12 games with tonight's 0 for 4.

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J-Roll or J-Flat?

I know his numbers showed he is hitting better but I really don’t think he is doing as good as the numbers show. He is trying to hit homers everytime instead of just hitting singles and getting on base. Tonight, he had several chances and just flied out or struck out. He needs to stop swinging for fences and just get on base. But, obviously he won’t change.

by DeanH on Aug 7, 2009 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh Jesus Christ

Not this again.

by phatj on Aug 8, 2009 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I must admit, I’m troubled too. A .313 average with 115 at bats in July is just atrocious. Not to mention his 1.154 OPS over the last week.

I think a trip to the minors would serve him well – get him in shape for the postseason. Because we all know that we cannot win when he doesn’t score a run.

by Steve J on Aug 8, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I don't know.

While I would’ve much preferred a win it was good to see Ben get started.

I’ll be pissed if we don’t take the next two. Right now? Still hopeful.

by Phreak on Aug 8, 2009 12:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Please

Talk about something more important than J-Roll’s 0-4 tonight. The bigger issue is the combined 1-7 and 5 K’s between Utley and Howard. Watching those two has made me want to rip my eyes out lately. Utley’s not walking like he usually does (1 walk in last 6 games) and Howard is striking out….without the power (0 home runs in last 10 games).

What are you talking about?

by shiiro126029 on Aug 8, 2009 3:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There is an article about this on Delaware Online by Scott Lauber:

http://blogs.delawareonline.com/philledin/2009/08/08/aug-8-utley-howard-slumping-sluggers/

So, if we add these 2 to our Jroll, no wonder why we are having problems with runs. This team is not built to win 3-2 games.

I actually have wondered for the past couple years if a change in hitting coaches is needed. Any thoughts???

by DeanH on Aug 8, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See above re: Rollins’ recent production.

Your scapegoating of Jimmy re: the past week’s worth of games is incredibly misguided.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 8, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This guy only seems to think about baseball in terms of scapegoats. And the funny thing is that he always seems to scapegoat some of our best-performing players. He was on a pretty vicious anti-Madson kick not too long ago.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 8, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is the problem, here? Can you explain what I am doing wrong and why? I don’t think my thoughts are unreasonable and this is a place to express thoughts, correct? Or are you the boss around here. Sorry, I am not out trying to offend you. I have been a Phils fan for almost 50 years. If I am wrong, as Whole Camels expressed above, fine. I can agree to disagree. However, maybe considering my thoughts are worthwhile and may give some insight that people are missing. Once again, Fuqua, I aplogize for offending or upsetting you.

by DeanH on Aug 8, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t apologize to me. I am not offended — just annoyed by your vapidity.

If you have been a Phillies fan for 50 years, then I find it sad, really, that your understanding of baseball has for so long been limited by your fickle disposition and silly knee-jerk impulses about the value of players that are based more on folk knowledge than any sort of reality grounded in statistical inquiry.

Fact: Jimmy Rollins has been the Phillies best hitter over the course of the last month.

There is no “agreeing to disagree” here. If your fancy isn’t tickled by how Rollins looks when he is out there being our most valuable offensive player over the last several weeks, that is your problem. But don’t pollute these threads with your crackpot observations that have no basis in reality.

“Fans” like you are the reason Bobby Abreu was never appreciated in this town. “Fans” like you are the reason Pat Burrell was constantly given shit during his tenure here. “Fans” like you are the reason Mike Schmidt was not respected in this town until he had racked up 500+ home runs, retired, and been inducted into the hall of fame.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 8, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

please everyone, relax

thank you

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 8, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would hate to see you if you are annoyed! And you are out in left field in reading my thoughts, nothing even close to what I am saying. As I have discussed w/ other bloggers in dealing with people like you, I will apply their suggestion.

by DeanH on Aug 9, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read

the article about Howard and Utley. And I don’t really think it matters who’s batting leadoff if 3 and 4 are getting out so often. Hell, have Ichiro at leadoff for us it’s not really gonna matter unless Utley and Howard get some hits. Please don’t start with the “change hitting coach” BS. Thats a last resort kind of thing that the worst teams do when they can’t find anyone else to blame. The lone comment I saw on that article had a suggestion for the lineup:
Rollins
Utley
Howard
Werth
Ibanez
Victorino
Feliz
Ruiz
(its an interesting suggestion whether realistic or not)

What are you talking about?

by shiiro126029 on Aug 8, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs