7 days and 7 games are all that remain for the Phillies in the 2013 campaign. With such little time left, players have begun to make their final appearances of the season. Some, even, are making their last strides in Phillies pinstripes. One of those players took the mound in Miami against the Marlins tonight. Roy Halladay, whose career in Philadelphia began gloriously (and, perfectly), has become a sad sight to see. The man who brought the Cy Young Award back to the Phillies has now become a limping dog desperately attempting to get his career back in line. Unfortunately, that plan took a serious derailment very early on in the performance this evening.
Donovan Solano began the game by working the walk of of Halladay. Ed Lucas would foul out for the first out, but Christian Yelich would receive a walk as well. An incredibly frustrated looking Doc was then met on the mound by Rich Dubee and the training squad. With sweat souping off his face and shades of crimson glazing his body, Roy was done. What would later be categorized as arm fatigue was probably much more than that. Halladay ha no pop in his arm whatsoever, and it may have been his final appearance in a Phillie uniform. Luis Garcia came on in relief, walking both Giancarlo Stanton and Justin Ruggiano next to score the game's first run. Placido Polanco grounded into a double play to end the first inning at a score of 1-0.
Luis Garcia, Joe Savery, Justin DeFratus, and Ethan Martin all made stellar appearances for the Phillies in this game, all holding the Marlins to just that single run. However, Nate Eovaldi performed just as well, and the Phillies were not scoring either. The score remained at 1-0 as the teams played into the bottom of the eighth, when B.J. Rosenberg was brought in to relieve Martin. Polanco would begin the frame with a double. With one away, Polly was able to steal third, and Jeff Mathis managed to walk. Greg Dobbs would also walk to load the bases with one out. Solano and Lucas then consecutively singled to bring in two more runs for the Marlins. Cesar Jimenez entered the game to allow a sacrifice fly to Yelich, and Miami took a 4-0 lead that remained for the rest of the game.
Not only were the Phillies shut out, but they were handed their fifth consecutive loss. After the end to the season looked promising with the team playing very well since Ryne Sandberg took over, it has become difficult to watch. Then, to top things off, Roy Halladay seems to have made his last pitch in a Phillies jersey. We all knew Doc was not pitching like his former self, but it would have just felt right to see him go off with a couple of quality starts. Instead, a dead arm seems to have plagued the multi-time Cy Young winner, and we can do nothing but cry watch. Tomorrow night, Zack Miner makes his second start of the season, but against the same team. Henderson Alvarez will take the mound for Miami at 7:10.
