Weiterhammel'd - Phillies Less, Orioles More

The Phillies got Weiterhammel'd today in Bawlmer, losing to the Orioles in the final at-bat 5-4. This is the ninth walk-off loss this year. Hooray.

Despite loading the bases at least fifty times, the Phils came up short repeatedly, in what is becoming the story of this 2012 season. Cliff Lee was stymied again in his search for his first win of the season, and Joe Morgan is a douche.

In the top of the first, Juan Pierre walked, Hunter Pence laced a single up the middle, and Jim Thome took a pitch off his foot, loading the bases. Shane Victorino popped up a 1-0 pitch at least six inches off the plate, and Carlos Ruiz struck out.

In the bottom half, with two outs and Adam Jones on first, Matt Weiters grounded to third. Placido Polanco makes this into an out. Michael Martinez makes this into an out. Hector Luna makes this into an out. Ty Wigginton made it into a single. The O's took advantage, and Ronny Paulino drove Jones home for a 1-0 lead.

In the second, the Phils again loaded the bases, with singles from Luna and Pierre and a walk by Rollins, setting the table for a two-run single by Pence and an RBI hit by Thome. Victorino walked the bases loaded once again, bring Chooch to the dish with the bases loaded again, as he demonstrated why he will never be an all-star by grounding out. Pierre did score on a wild pitch, giving the Phillies a 4-1 lead...

Which they promptly gave back. A two-out walk to Mark Reynolds, a double to Steve Pearce and a homerun by Steve Tolleson, and it's a 4-4 tie.

I'm pretty sure that Hammel threw something like twelve thousand pitches through the first four innings, but prevented further damage. Maybe we can convince the Dodgers to sign him.

Lee pitched six innings, striking out eight while walking two, and allowing seven hits. Michael Schwimmer pitched three solid innings of relief, allowing a single and a walk, while striking out four, and his slider was Lidge-esque. Good sign.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting sick of this nonsense. How about some accountability.

With the loss, the Phils fall to 29-33. There's an off-day tomorrow, and on Tuesday, the Phils travel to Minnesota to take on the Twins in their first visit to Target Field. Toolbags Kendrick is the listed starter. Should be fun.