Weekly report: The Phillies

by UK American Sports Fans

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Tom Morrison bring you his regular Monday report on the Phillies.

The Phillies were dismantled 12-4 by a rampant Tigers offense culminating in an eight game losing streak; their longest since September 2011.

To confound Phillies’ fans misery it was by no means the worst record ‘achieved’ on Sunday.  Since April 2008, it was the first time any team in the majors had allowed 8 or more unearned runs in a single inning. The catastrophic sixth inning reduced Jimmy Rollins to his knees in the field:

“I’ve seen a lot, but I haven’t seen that. That was embarrassing.”

Three walks and three errors allowed eight Tigers to cross home plate. It also created the difference that separated the sides as they had matched each other run for run through both the first five innings and the last three innings.

Jonathan Pettibone pitched relatively well, allowing three runs in five innings to arguably the strongest offense in baseball, an offense that houses last year’s MVP Miguel Cabrera. However, Cabrera departed in controversial fashion, accompanied by his manager Jim Leyland, as he disputed a strike call and was consequently ejected by home plate umpire Chad Fairchild. Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta spearheaded the Tigers’ offense in Cabrera’s absence as he hammered a grand slam to left field to punctuate the eight run sixth inning.

For the Tigers, Rick Porcello pitched seven innings of three-run ball and that proved more than enough for him to come away with the win.

The only flawless performance for a player in a Phillies uniform was closer Jonathan Papelbon. An asset that is useless for a team whose self-implosion has left them firmly out of the hunt for a spot in the playoffs. Baseball Prospectus currently gives Philadelphia just a 1% chance of making the play-offs.

Notes for the week

  • The Phillies are 27th in runs in MLB since the All Star Break.
  • The Phillies are last in MLB in ERA since the All Star Break.
  • The only two offensive bright sparks for the Phillies are on the Disabled List – 25 year olds Domonic Brown and Ben Revere.  Two injured young players to add to a nucleus of ageing players.
  • Recently promoted outfielder Steve Susdorf collected his first career hit but was also instrumental in the Tigers eight run sixth inning as he dropped a routine fly ball.
  • Darin Ruf has made the most of an injury-ridden lineup by leading the team in average, on-base percentage and OPS in his 17 games.