PHILLIES NEWS

Today marked the first official day of summer and it did not start well for the Phillies. Last night Ryan Howard had the game of his life with 2 Homers, a triple and 7 RBIs, tonight however he and the rest of the Phils' offense were shut down by a combined 5 Yankees pitchers, including starter Jaret Wright who pitched 5 innings of three-hit ball, but who cares about that. All that really matters, about tonight's game is that those three hits would be the only hits the Phillies would get all night long. This dismal performance, by the Phillies offense, not only cost them the game, but ruined another stellar performance by rookie sensation Cole Hamels, who pitched 7 innings, two more than Wright, and gave up just two runs on 6 hits. On most nights that kind of effort earns you a win, but as I said, the Phillies offense let him down, giving him no run support. Now, the main reason the Phillies lost was their offense, but it's not the only reason. Yes, Hamels pitched well and kept the Phillies close at just 2-0, but for the second night in a row the bullpen did not pitch well, allowing the Yankees to tack on an extra 3 runs in the 8th inning. Thus by the time the bottom of the 8th inning came around the Phillies were behind 5-0 and their chances for a late rally to win the game had passed, as they took the loss 5-0. Now, let's think for a second, Hamels pitched 7 innings, so the Phillies bullpen, which I might add still has the NL's third best ERA, only had to keep the Yankees in check for two innings, and they couldn't do it. Now I ask you why? Why couldn't they keep the Yankees offense in check for just 2 innings? Why? I mean come on guys close games like these are the ones , you've got to win from now until the end of the season if you want to have any prayer of making the playoffs. You just can't go out and perform the way you did tonight. If you guys really want to make the playoffs you had better start going out there every night with a purpose and will to win alright, now get with the program fellas.