Mets 5- Phils 2. Jonathan Papelbon serves up a 3-run homer to a call-up.
That's the beauty of a twenty-five man roster: everyone gets a chance to blow one.
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Too bad about Jayson Werth's injury. Apparently, he was even more angry at the cat-calls from some Phillies fans present for the event in DC. (I thought the Nats alleged brain trust was banning Phillies fans from home games???). Werth expressed plenty of vitriol of his own in response, promising to do everything in his power to prevent any parades down Broad Street ever again.
Not to worry, Jayson. There aren't going to be any parades involving this team for a long time.
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Who'd have guessed Cole Hamels was so old school? Not only did he plunk Nats phenom Bryce Harper, he said he did it deliberately. The Nats retaliated a short while later, plunking the plunker himself, but trust me, that ain't the end of it. Even Werth's injury, no one's "fault", will fuel this rivalry.
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Charlie Manuel has already made more questionable decisions this season than all of last year. The difference is he had a more talented team to offset his bungling in 2011 than in 2012. As I said a week or so ago, no one is immune, Charlie. They fired Terry Francona and he won TWO titles.
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One reason this team cannot establish any rhythm is that Manuel has already panicked about the slow, at times painfully slow, starts of several players being counted on this season. The lineup remains completely unsettled, batting order and starters. Meanwhile, middle relief is a complete mess. The setup role is, too.
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Carlos Ruiz has been the Phillies most reliable player this season. This comes as no surprise. If he continues to hit, Ruiz will be rewarded with an All Star appearance on merit. It won't hurt matters that he will also be the only Phillie deserving of a spot. Remember, every team must be represented.
