First series 3 games in Atlanta:
Started off well, The Phillies won the first game of the series 4-2 behind some clutch hitting late by John Mayberry and a solid outing on the mound by Cole Hamels, and oddly enough the bullpen actually did its job in getting the ball to Papelbon to earn his 9th save of the season. The Second game was a complete turn around from the night before. After building a nice 6-0 lead in the 5th inning Phillies fans felt pretty good, Halladay on the mound, looking sharp the offence clicking, things were good. Until the bottom of the 5th and 6th. Just that quick the Phillies blew the lead and trailed it. turned out to be a back and forth battle for the next few innings Both bullpens were just awful on this night. (Braves bullpen: 7IP, 9H, 9R, 3BB / Phillies bullpen: 4.2IP, 7H, 7R, 3BB) The Braves took advantage and won the game 15-13 in 11 Innings. The only good thing about this night was Ruiz's seven RBI game. The Third game of the series was something that Phillies fans have been waiting for since 2008. Joe Blanton pitched an amazing 3 hit shutout on only 88 pitches. This was the first complete game Blanton had pitched as a member of the Phillies and took the entire fan base by surprise with his masterpiece on this afternoon. It certainly made for a great ending to a road series in which they were able to win.
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| "Natitude Park" |
Welcome to "Natitude Park" first of all this made me sick to see with my own eyes. The Nationals and their marketing campaign was an absolute joke, and they should be ashamed to call themselves a Major league club after putting up those signs. I know what they are trying to do and I applaud it but it still reeked of "busch league" to me. Anyway moving on, Game one of the series saw the pitching match up of Kendrick vs Strasburg and i think all Phillies fans were taken back by the strong outing of Kyle Kendrick on this night. in my opinion he out pitched Strasburg but the Phillies bullpen would rear its ugly head once again. This time it was Chad Qualls and Michael Schwimer who lost it for the Phillies. Final score 4-3 in 11 Innings for the Nationals. Game two of the series was a one sided affair, all Washington. Vance Worley started strong but the Nats bats took over belting 3 HR, two off of Worley himself. The Phillies would go on to lose 7-1 and have to wait till sunday night to try and salvage a game in the series. Speaking of the third game of the series, the fireworks got started early with Cole Hamels plunking Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper in the back (which he later admitted to doing intentionally, to which Cole received a five game suspension) But all in all this was Cole's night pitching 8 innings allowing only 5 hits and 1 run while striking out 8. Hunter Pence added two homeruns to help his starter. The Phillies were able to get one game of this series although I think they feel they could have had two with that Friday night loss. But this is becoming a trend for in 2012.
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| Nationals "Take Back The Park" Campaign did not deter Phillies fans from supporting their team. |
The first of three awful games at Citizens Bank Park this week started out great. Phillies jump out to a 2-0 lead with Halladay on the mound. Things are looking good then the Mets get to Roy just a little, Tie the game up and we go to the 9th tied 2-2. New Phillies Closer comes on and has a bad inning giving up a 3 run homerun to Jordany Valdespin, his first career home run at that. Phillies drop game 1. the next night things looked even better, The Phillies this time jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 2 innings. But as the 2012 Phillies go they could not hold the lead, Joe Blanton would yield 4 runs in 6.2 innings and good old Chad Qualls & Michael Schwimer would blow the game by giving up 3 runs combined and the Phillies lost 7-4. So here they were again game 3 of the series trying to salvage something to build on. The Phillies would welcome Cliff Lee back from the DL last night and boy was he a welcome sight. 6 innings, 5 hits 2 runs 6 K's. Welcome back Cliff. As this game went on the Phillies would build up a nice 4-2 lead going into the 7th inning. Thats when Kyle Kendrick came into pitch. Lets take a look at his line real quick (1.0IP, 4H, 5R 2BB) Im sorry but for any major league pitcher that NOT good enough. After the Mets had claimed the lead and the Phillies fans started heading for the nearest exit the Phillies bullpen would trot out Jose Contreras for one inning and all he did was give up 2 runs on 1 hit, then Brian Sanches came in for the 9th inning in front of vertually an empty Citizens Bank Park to give up the 10th and final Mets run of the night. While looking at Twitter during the game, its was exploding with Bullpen jokes. Myself getting involved. So needless to say the Phillies were swept at home against the Mets and the first sweep at the hands of the Mets since 2006.
3 wins and 6 losses in those critical 9 games against division foes. I would have to say that this was a failure for the Phillies. Fans are getting frustrated, angry and I have a feeling that sellout streak at CBP the Phillies, the fans and the City of Philadelphia is so proud of is in serious jeopardy. I will say this. I usually go to 4-5 game a year in Philadelphia. I love the park, I love the team and its only about a 2 hour and 15 min drive from home, but right now I have NO desire to make the trip, hopefully later in the season i will feel the urge to go but right now, not so much.
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| Michael Schwimer has been sent to AAA for good reason. |
With a weekend set upcoming against the Padres in Philadelphia the Phillies better get their act together before its too late for them and they start shipping all their talent out of town at the trade deadline.
Until then the fans are frustrated yes, but we are behind you GoPhillies!!!!!!
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