Good riddance, Turner Field: Braves 5, Phillies 2

Despite the fact that the Phillies have been emitting their 2016 death knell for over a week now, the season just keeps rolling on. Baseball demands that they play 162 games, so that’s what they’ll do.

They played yet one more last night, a 5-2 loss to the Braves that featured an injury and a messy inning.

Honestly, if Jeremy Hellickson had to get injured, this was the time to do it. Garbage time. He left the game after 3 ¹⁄₃ innings, having allowed just one hit and no runs. Add four strikeouts to that and it had the makings of a great start. Hellickson might take the qualifying offer this offseason, but he might now. And if he doesn’t, it’s been a good run. The Phillies needed a guy like him this year, and Hellickson needed the Phillies. They needed a relatively cheap but solid starter, and Hellickson needed a chance to give his career new life. Everyone got what they wanted. The diagnosis on Hellickson’s injury was just a sprained knee, so it’s nothing terribly alarming.

The big mess came late, in the eighth inning. And why don’t you guess who was on the mound.

BZZT! Time’s up! It was Jeanmar Gomez! Yes, Jeanmar Gomez. If you picked anyone besides Jeanmar Gomez, you get no parting gifts. Please see yourselves out.

Yes, it was another putrid outing from Jeanmar. He gave up four runs on three hits and two walks. At this point, there’s almost nothing else to say about what’s happening with Jeanmar. I mean, there’s a lot to say about it, but there’s nothing productive. Over the last two months, he’s pitched to an ERA of 9.90. In September alone? 19.13! WOOF.

The runs that Gomez allowed came so late that the Phillies didn’t have a chance to make up for it. Not that they could have made up for it if they did in fact have the chance. The 2016 Phillies: Blowing chances they never had.

Oh god, the Phillies got swept by the Braves. The BRAVES! I hate them, I hate Turner Field, and I’m glad we don’t have to see them until next season. And we never have to see Turner Field again. Let’s hope SunTrust Park won’t turn into a house of pain.*

*famous last words