Here's One For The Folks In Kearney, NJ

The weekend just past provided an excellent opportunity to play against one of the best teams in baseball in front of sold out crowds at home. The Phillies didn't rise to the occasion. Oh, they had their moments, scoring eight runs Friday night albeit in a losing effort, winning Saturday night, and taking a lead into the seventh inning Sunday afternoon against Justin Verlander before the bullpen imploded, but in the end the Phils dropped two out of three against the Tigers and failed to make up more ground on the badly slumping New York Mets.

The three game series also underscored the Phillies ongoing major weakness, the bullpen. Friday night's anti-hero was Francisco Rosario, who followed up his one inning of work during which he gave up three hits, a walk and four earned runs with a trip to the Disabled List. Unofficially, the Phillies must lead the league if not all of MLB in placing pitchers on the DL after they've stunk up the joint, not, unfortunately, before! On Sunday, Yoel Hernandez was the goat. As of this writing he hasn't been placed on the DL. Sunday's loss was particularly dispiriting because starter Adam Eaton again pitched extremely well and deserved a better fate. What's more, he was lifted while still appearing to be throwing very well because Charlie Manuel didn't like his "numbers" against Gary Sheffield. What's the matter with judging a pitcher on his numbers at the time???!!!! If nothing else, Charlie should have left Eaton in to bat since he did drive in the Phillies third run of the day.

Some position players also had mediocre weekends, most notably, Ryan Howard who despite a home run on Friday night otherwise failed to deliver in the clutch on several occasions and was badly fooled a few times when striking out. Aaron Rowand, on the other hand, continued to deliver offensively but once again made several poor decisions in the field, taking bad routes to the ball or leaving his feet needlessly. Pat Burrell all but disappeared...even when he was in the lineup.

Now, it's on to Cleveland to face the Indians, who just happen to be leading the Central Division over the Tigers.