Adam Eaton continues to surprise to the upside and Tom Gordon continues to disappoint to the downside. Eaton pitched another quality start last night in an important game no less and all he got to show for it was a no decision. Having watched the Mets end the Phillies nine-game hex the night before, Eaton went out and did his best to begin a new one. Unfortunately, the offense behind him wasn't on the same page. Still, they rallied late and had their chances to break things open, but their bats fell silent and the Mets won in 12 innings. Gordon took the loss.
Having used Brad Lidge in the ninth inning, the Phillies had little choice but to go to Gordon, and for the second time this season the result was a crushing loss -- the other was to Washington -- after his mates had rallied late. But make no mistake, this one was again on the offense, which sent six guys to the plate last night who are hitting below the Mendoza line. Twice they wasted excellent scoring opportunities in regulation time and as is almost always the case, their ineptitude came back to haunt them.
While their pitching has been erratic at times, the big problems have been defense and a feeble attack. Pedro Feliz homered for the first time as a Phillie and Ryan Howard crushed his second home run of the season, but they are two of the regulars batting under .200. The Phillies aren't clicking on all cylinders ten games into the season, having now lost series to the Nationals and the Mets. The run into a hot Cubs team tonight at Citizens Bank Park with Brett Myers vowing to go the distance and get his team back on track. We've heard bravura from him before; right now, I'd settle for a win.
2 comments:
I'd definitely settle for a win.
Gordon has actually been a lot better than I had expected this season -- and that's saying something what with the 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA and whatnot. Four outings in a row with having a run charged to him before last night, three of them actually good. It might have been a bit much to ask of him to come back for a second inning, even after he cruised through the eleventh. Kinda thought we might see Condrey.
Upon reflection I was too hard on Gordon, but the Phils are asking too much to allow him to go more than an inning each outing.
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