What happened?
The Phillies failed to come up with a big hit as the Reds rallied in the ninth to win game two of the series.
Who did what?
J.A. Happ allowed three runs in seven innings in the no decision. He gave up six hits, zero walks while striking out seven.
Jimmy Rollins went 1 for 5 with a run.
Chase Utley went 3 for 5 with two doubles (18) and an RBI.
Ryan Howard went 1 for 3 with a homer (21), two walks and an RBI.
Jayson Werth went 1 for 3 with a homer (18) and an RBI.
Carlos Ruiz went 1 for 3 with a triple.
Brad Lidge (0-4) gave up one run in one inning. He gave up two hits and intentionally walked one.
Aaron Harang pitched six innings, giving up three runs on nine hits and two walks. He struck out seven.
Joey Votto went 1 for 4 with a double (14) and a run.
Brandon Phillips went 2 for 3 with two homers (13) and three RBIs.
Ramon Hernandez went 1 for 4 with an RBI.
Francisco Cordero pitched a scoreless ninth for his 21st save of the season.
What does this mean?
Last night, the Phillies routed the Reds with 21 hits. Tonight, they could have used just one of those.
After taking an early 3-0 lead against Aaron Harang, the Phillies’ bats would go silent for the final seven frames, stranding nine men on base. They would go 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position on the night, including leaving the winning run on third base with less than two outs in the bottom of the eighth.
It’s an all too familiar sight, however, which brings back bad memories of last season. After they routed St. Louis with a 20-spot, the offense went into a funk, where the Phillies lost 11 of their next 14 games.
However, it’s a bit too early to worry that this is the beginning of another losing streak. More than likely, it was just a night where the Phillies didn’t get any of the breaks.
Despite the poor clutch performance of the offense, J.A. Happ once again took the hill and deliverd a better than quality start. He went seven and gave up three, making it the third start start where he has gone at least seven innings. Starting with his complete game shutout against the Blue Jays, Happ has given up five runs in 25 innings, while walking two and striking out 16.
It was a tough loss, but it was only one loss. They are 4-1 on this homestand, and the most important part of their game, the starting pitching, has been phenomenal.
What’s next for our heroes?
In game three of the series, Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 2.84) takes on Homer Bailey (1-0, 5.94)
17 Responses to “July 7 Game Recap: Reds 4, Phillies 3”
Leave a Reply
- Cliff Remember Me Lee on July 30 Game Recap: Nationals 8, Phillies 1
- Cliff Remember Me Lee on July 30 Game Recap: Nationals 8, Phillies 1
- Greenman! on July 30 Game Recap: Nationals 8, Phillies 1
- Jon on July 30 Game Recap: Nationals 8, Phillies 1
- Bozo on July 30 Game Recap: Nationals 8, Phillies 1
Phila-Centric
- 700 Level
- Balls, Sticks & Stuff
- Beerleaguer
- Big Five Post
- Chicks Dig The Longball
- Crane Kick Chronicles
- Crashburn Alley
- Finger Food
- Fire Eric Bruntlett
- Four Days Rest
- High Cheese
- High Hopes
- House That Glanville Built
- I want to go to the zoo with Roy Halladay
- In Ruben We Trust
- Long Drive
- Macho Row
- Maule of America
- Okayplayer
- On The DL
- On The Edge
- Phightin’ Phils Phorum
- Philadelphia Will Do
- Philebrity
- Philled In
- Philliesflow
- Philly Gameday
- Philly Gossip
- Philly Skyline
- Phils-ville
- Phinally Philly
- Phoul Ballz
- Swing and a Long Drive
- The Good Phight
- The Insider
- The Shibe Times
- The Zo Zone
- We're the Team to Beat
- Whiz Witout
- Who Does He Play For?
- WSBGM’s
General
Why why why keep Bruntlett in for the 9th! If the answer is because he was the last option left who can play third.. then you can just say the previous moves were screwed up. Your last hope should never have to be a guy like Bruntlett in a game that hasn’t gone to extras. Bat Coste or even Bako! None of them are very good but the last two have shown they can at least hit the ball.
The responsibility for tonight’s loss can be shared by the Phils bats, and Cholly.
The Phils bats are obviously to blame, and get most of it, due to the fact that they left 8 runners in scoring position on the board, showing that this game should’ve been much more lopsided. Especially given the ridiculous score of last nights game.
Cholly also shares the blame for this loss, for two reasons.
1) Pinch Hitting Eric Bruntlett (.145) in the bottom of the Seventh, with two in position, with two outs. Dobss (.271), or even Mayberry (.205).
2) Bringing in Brad Lidge for a non-save opportunity. He’d recorded two stellar saves in a row the past two games, and was looking like he was close to back to it. Using Lidge, when he could’ve used CHP in that situation would’ve been the better move. Lidge is obviously not in his 2008 form, and has been touched up painfully in all of his non-save situations. Having him pitch tonight, was an overestimation of his recouperation to this point. Lidge needs to build his confidence back up, and to me it seems like the best time is in a save situation, where the pressure is on, and he gets an added adrenaline rush.
But… tonight isn’t a painful loss, it’s just a loss. The law of averages applies, and I’m still confident that this team can lead the division into the Playoffs. They are just a few things short of repeat potential. The return of Raul, and Number 32 from Toronto would be a huge boost to that potential.
Here’s hoping for better results tommorow as the Amigo takes the mound. Go Phils!
Vote for Bruntlett
@Tug LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. How’s the finger?
I’m not at all surprised about the LOBs or failing to score runners at 3rd with less than two out. I am surprised they actually scored 3 runs tonight, though. I didn’t think it would be that many.
Please Charlie, stop putting Lidge in for non-save situations.
WTF??!?!? why cant they win for plan D????
I like how Rollins came up tonight twice and swung at the first pitch.
YEAH J-ROLL’S BACK!!!
@ yellowbird, I know. I’m starting to think I shouldn’t even go, but then again, I’ve been to too many games to realize that the Baseball Gods don’t know who’s in the stands….. right?
There was a great shot of a women who prominetly displayed the “In Case of Emergency, Use Stairs” t shirt tonight on the Phanavision. Nice.
The Bruntlett at bat by Cholly is typical. It’s his yearly statement to the GM saying “If you’re not going to get me the player I need, I’m going to march out the junk you leave me with.”
Anyone else hear Sarge refer to Hawaii as Victorino’s home country last night?
Everybody hits?
What the hell is Charlie doing bringing in Bruntlet before Mayberry. Is he smoking crack again? TMAC – “Well Wheels it looks like maybe Charlie wants contact in this spot.” Go suck a dick TMAC, Bruntlet is hitting .145, what ****ing contact are you talking about.
@Gaze – that would make sense if Bruntlet was the only viable option for Charlie in that spot, but he wasn’t (PhiPhans – Dobbs wasn’t available and even if he was you probably don’t bring a left handed bat into that spot). But still, why is Bruntlet on this fucking team!?
HEY-
Chase Fucking Utley went 3 for 5
@Harry – He was the right handed option Charlie had available. Which begs the question… does Charlie overthink himself with the lefty vs. righty matchups?
@Harry, I know Dobbs was already in the game, but I still like his chances of bringing in a run, over Bruntletts. That goes to show just how horribly bad Bruntlett is. I’d rather have a left batting in that situation, than him. But I’m seriously starting to join your camp of “Why the fuck do we still have this guy?”
Gotcha, forgot Dobbs was due up. Charlie needs to understand that lefty/righty matchups shouldn’t factor in when your players is hitting .145.