Marlin Errors Lead To Phils Win

While only a single error will appear in the box score for the Marlins, defense mistakes all around the field for the Fish contributed greatly towards a Phillies win.  The final score stood at 6-1, with the Phillies winning their second straight game.  Couple this win with a loss from the Braves, and the Phillies are now only 2 games back of first place.

Carlos Ruiz was the offensive star for the Phils tonight, going 3-5 with a homer and 2 RBIs.  Ben Francisco and Ruiz hit back-to-back homers in the second inning.  After Carlos doubled in the 4th, "Chooooch" chants arose all around the ballpark, with so many Phillies fans in attendance in Florida.

Roy Halladay made his first start in Sun Life Stadium since his perfect game.  He pitched wonderfully, pitching seven strong innings, giving up an earned run, and striking out nine.  Halladay also hit a 2-run double in the 4th.  After the Marlins decided to walk Wilson Valdez to get to Halladay, Roy hit a shot down the foul line.

The Marlins didn't do much to help their cause on the field.  Cody Ross looked like he was lost when Ruiz hit a deep fly to center, and the ball wound up 25 feet from him.  That lead to Halladay's 2-run single.  Dan Uggla also made a series of defensive gaffes.

This win was the only bright spot on a gloomy day for the Phillies.  They will be without the services of Ryan Howard for at least the next 15 days.  The offense showed up tonight, but will the hole in the middle of the lineup rear it's ugly head in the next two weeks? 

Phils Swept by Marlins

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillymads63/ / CC BY 2.0

The Phillies got blown out 12-3 yesterday in an embarrassingly sloppy game at Citizens Bank Park. I was in attendance during yesterday's game against the Marlins and I am disgusted by what I saw: a Phillies team that seems to be falling apart.

Jamie Moyer gave up only 2 earned runs in 5 innings, but he also gave up 11 hits in what should be his last start this season. The Phillies bats managed only three runs in the ball game. The Phillies need to start hitting the ball with runners in scoring position.

In the 7th inning, home plate umpire Ed Rapuano threw Shane Victorino out of the ball game from centerfield. Victorino raised his hands in the air after a borderline strike from Rodrigo Lopez was called a ball. Rapuano threw Shane out of the game, and Victorino ran up from centerfield and got in Rapuano's face. Several players had to hold Victorino back from Rapuano, clearly afraid Shane was going to harm Rapuano.

I have never seen a umpire throw a guy out of the game for putting his hands up in the field. Rapuano has never been good at calling balls and strikes (that was on display the previous half inning during Howard's at-bat). Shane Victorino should not be suspended or fined under any means. If anything, Rapuano should be disciplined.

After the confrontation, we fans at the Bank booed every call Rapuano made. Believe me, Rapuano was really getting it from the fans. The fans also taunted Rapuano by chanting "Vic-to-ri-no!" over and over again.

Jayson Werth took over center field for Victorino. Werth made an atrocious play when a grounder went directly under his glove with the bases loaded. Three runs scored and the Phils were mentally done.

Brad (7.24 ERA) Lidge comes into the game in the ninth with the Phils down 9-3. Even in a completely no-pressure situation, Lidge gave up three runs in the ninth... not exactly how your closer should pitch.

Brad Lidge should not be the closer. He comes in and is almost guaranteed to give up a run or two. Lidge should not be put in a close game. They need to find another guy in the bullpen to step up because Lidge should be relegated to mop-up duty.

Charlie Manuel held a 20-minute meeting after the game, clearly frustrated with how his team is performing.

Manuel: "I can tell you this. I was upset by the way we played today. I thought we lost our composure and did things we don't normally do. We can do much better. We're not the team you saw on the field today.'' If you want to make a playoff run (or the playoffs at all), you better be.

Marlins Trade For Johnson; Braves Get LaRoche

While the Phillies were quiet today, their NL East rivals Marlins and Braves made moves. The Marlins acquired first basemen Nick Johnson from the Nationals pitching prospect Aaron Thompson. The Braves traded first basemen Casey Kotchman to the Red Sox for first basemen Adam LaRoche.

Nick Johnson is batting .295 with 6 homers and 44 RBIs and should help out the Marlins lineup. The Braves and Red Sox just swapped first basemen. I don't know the reason for that deal.

Phillies Report

I went to the Phillies game last night. Old man Moyer was going 11th straight wins against the Florida Marlins. It was ladies night at the ballpark last night and the Phillies celebrated by hittimg like old ladies. The Marlins cruised, beating the Phils 8-2.

One of the main problems for the Phillies last night was the bottom of the order. They really struggled with runners in scoring position. Geoff Jenkins (later replaced by Jayson Werth), Eric Bruntlett (later replaced by Greg Dobbs), and Carlos Ruiz combined for one hit. Five guys combine for one hit, the Phillies need another bat in the bottom of the lineup. Ruiz collected the only hit of those five, but it was a single with no runners on.

Moyer (right) pitched alright. He did load the bases in what seemed like every inning, but he did well to allow only two runs to the powerful Marlins offense.

Ryan Howard needs to improve his defense. On one play, he froze on a ball hit to the Moyer. He seemingly forgot to cover the bag. On another play, a sharp ground ball went right through his legs. Maybe Howard should spend less time golfing and more time practicing his fielding.

The only bright spot of the night was Victorino (who's been red hot) homer. After looking at the instant replay, though, it looks like it should have been a foul ball. The Phillies bullpen didn't do a good job either. Two pitchers, fresh from Triple A, gave up five runs. J.A. Happ, who one of those pitchers, gave up four runs in just two innings. Happ did do well in the rotation, but clearly he is not a relief pitcher.

The Marlins are just 1 1/2 games behind the Phillies and could inch closer if they win today. The Mets won last, and are now only two games back.