It seems to be the theme of this year's Phillies squad: Get back to a .500 record. Once again, Jonathan Pettibone and the boys in red went into today's action eyeing an even win-loss total. On the mound for the Brewers was former Phillies Kyle Lohse, whose 1-6 record and near 5.00 ERA seemed to be a positive for the away team.
Michael Young continued to lead off for the Phillies, and started the game by reaching on yet another infield single. Ben Revere followed with another single, and the Phils looked poised to score. The problem is that nothing ever goes right for the Phillies, so when Ryan Howard added a single later in his at bat, Young was thrown out at home plate. Domonic Brown grounded out, and the threat was over.
Despite a leadoff walk, Pettibone worked a quick first inning and held the Brewers scoreless. The second inning was a different story. Carlos Gomez, on the day of his bobblehead giveaway, reached first when his ground ball back to the mound was dropped by Pettibone. Short-lived Phillies Yuniesky Betancourt singled, and Martin Maldanado was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A Juan Francisco ground out plated the first run of the day for Milwaukee. Following him was Scooter Gennett (I laughed too), who tripled to score the next two. The fourth and final run scored on a Lohse sacrifice fly. 4-0 Brewers.
From the top of the third through the top of the sixth, there was very little offense for either squad. The only noteworthy action came when Ryan Braun was replaced in the lineup by Logan Schafer. Later reports said Braun may be headed to the disabled list for a sore right thumb.
In the bottom of the sixth, Schafer singled off Pettibone. Justifying his bobblehead giveaway, Carlos Gomez shelled a two run bomb to center field, spelling the end of Pettibone's outing. Jeremy Horst (yay) came on to finish off the inning.
The next half inning saw Norichika Aoki and Lohse single off Horst, sending him packing and bringing in Justin De Fratus. Appropriately, De Fratus bounced a pitch and allowed the runners to advance. Jean Segura's single would bring in both runners and put the score at 8-0. The next three batters would be retired.
After retiring sixteen straight batter, Lohse gave up a solo homerun to third-string catcher Humberto Quintero, his first of the season. No shutout today.
Having not pitched in some time, Jonathan Papelbon came on in the eighth to get some work in. He allowed a leadoff homerun to Maldonado, but retired the next three to finish the inning.
Jim Henderson completed the ninth, and the Brewers win the game and the series against the Phillies.
Not much to say about today's game. They're back to 2 games under .500, and losing 3 out of 4 to the Brewers in inexcusable for a team looking to make the playoffs. And, it may get even worse going into the series against the Twins. Multiple losses to Minnesota would a huge blow to the season. Perhaps the word "sell" will become synonymous with this Phillies team in the next couple of weeks. Tomorrow, the Phillies will get the day off, hopefully giving them some reflection time. Cole Hamels will take the mound on Tuesday to oppose Twins' pitcher P.J. Walters.
