Phils Unable to Sink the Marlins
by Scott Butler 8/7/08
The Phils squandered another opportunity today. They had a chance to put away the Marlins and once again fell short. A win today would have given the Phils some breathing room but with this loss the Marlins are still hanging around at 1.5 games back. That scenario is becoming all too familiar this year. The Phillies have lost lost six out of seven series to the Marlins or Mets this year, including five in a row. Their overall record against those teams is 9-16. The Phillies seem to be going through the motions right now and they haven't shown that killer instinct.
Cole Hamels pitched another good game but the team just cannot find a way to score runs for Hamels. In his last five losses the Phils have scored only five runs for Hamels. That number is an example of why I have such a problem with the Phillies' hitting. The numbers are frightening. In my next blog I will examine exactly how.
For this blog here is what I have to say: Cole Hamels needs to pitch better. Obviously the blame doesn't go to Cole for those losses, but why is it that in those tight games the pitcher that breaks is Hamels and not the other guy. Those are exactly the types of games that are played in October and he needs to find a way to win. In a close game like today it needs to be Cole that steps up, not Voldemorte or whoever that dude was today. Don't get me wrong, I think Hamels is a great pitcher and I like his demeanor on the mound, but it is a little worrisome that he continues to be on the losing end. It's just something to think about.
Other game notes: Jimmy had some interesting comments on the inconsistent hitting: http://philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com/media/video/phillies/080708-rollins.wmv
Howard committed another throwing error in the seventh. I know the throw to second it tough, but come on! It wouldn't hurt to occasionally make the throw. Ryan Howard is a major liability at first base. Howard not only leads the major league for first baseman in errors with 14 (which is five more than the second highest with 9), but he also has the worst fielding percentage of all regular first baseman. Out of players with at least 50 games at first, nobody has a worse fielding percentage and the two players with an equal mark (Mike Jacobs and John Bowker) have played only 81 games and 64 games, respectively.
The Phillies seem to be going through the motions right now and they haven't shown that killer instinct. Charlie seems to have a knack of getting a ton out of his players down the stretch and now is the time to do it. If history repeats itself we will be just fine...let's hope it does.
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