The Phils returned from the All-Star break tonight as they hooked up with the Cubs in Chicago. Chad Durbin was activated from the DL yesterday so coming into tonight the Phils had their full slate of relievers all healthy for the first time all season. Unfortunately, at least for tonight it didn't really matter. Jamie Moyer got the start and looked a bit rusty, even only a couple of extra days off will do that to an old pitcher like the Moyer, and he payed for it. In just 3 innings he was touched up for 6 runs on 5 hits and the route was on. Still, the Phils already had 2 runs thanks to a 2 run blast from Ryan Howard and so only trailed by 4 following Moyer's last stand .
Initially the now healthy bullpen managed to help the Phils to hang in there for a while, down by just 4. Then in the 7th and 8th innings Jose Contreras and Danys Baez each got a bit unlucky and were hit around quite a bit. All told they combined to allow 6 runs on 6 hits and by the 9th Chicago had run up a massive 12-2 lead. To their credit the Phils did not go quietly. Back to back RBI singles by Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino and another 2 run blast from Howard cut the lead to 12-6 with 2 outs and gave the Phils fans scattered around the stadium, brief renewed hope for a win. Alas it wasn't to be as Jayson Werth popped up to end it. However, with the positive way the Phils finished this game, you have to like their chances in the rest of this series. For now though they drop to back 5.5 games out in the NL East and can only scratch their heads again .
2 comments:
The rust is out and now the Phils are a well oiled offensive machine. I think the Cubs got lucky with the pitching in this one and it wont be like that for the rest of the series.
-to ph1llysports
well hopefully that's what happens but we'll see
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