Remember two weeks ago heading into the All-Star Break when it was determined that the games against St. Louis and Detroit would decide the Phillies' fate? Well, in five games against the two clubs, the team is 0-5. If that does not scream "time to sell" to Ruben Amaro and the rest of the front office, I don't know what does. In such a dull and depressing season, one bright spot makes its presence once again today. Jonathan Pettibone has been a steady starter for the team since he was called to the team, and he hasn't looked back. If there's a spot available in the rotation next year, it may be Pettibone's to lose. Today, he would take the mound in the final game against Detroit to face Rick Porcello.
The first inning ended up being a good start for both pitchers. While each allowed a single baserunner, Porcello and Pettibone each escaped unscathed. Thankfully for this Phillies team, it was a much different first inning than last night's atrocity.
In the second, the Phillies would take a lead for the first time in what feels like forever. With one out, John Mayberry Jr. worked a walk, and moved to second on a Laynce Nix groundout. Carlos Ruiz would next single to bring home Mayberry, and the Phillies stood with a 1-0 lead.
The bottom of the third inning proved to be one of the most interesting in recent memory. It started when Pettibone allowed a ground-rule double, a single, and a walk to quickly load the bases. Things were not looking good. Pettibone did get Don Kelly to pop up to Michael Young at third for the first out. Next up was the incredibly dangerous Miguel Cabrera. The first pitch seemed to be a bit high, but home plate umpire Chad Fairchild called it a strike. The next pitch was even closer, and Fairchild again called it a strike, moving the count to 0-2. Cabrera had already been complaining about the first pitch, and while arguing the second called strike got ejected from the game. This immediately brought out Tigers' manager Jim Leyland, who would also be tossed after arguing the calls. After a lengthy argument on the field, Leyland finally walked off and replaced Cabrera with Matt Tuiasosopo.
Sopo, as I will now refer to him as, ended up striking out on Cabrera's 0-2 count. Pettibone then escaped the bases loaded jam by getting Fielder to pop a ball into foul territory for the final out. Somehow, the Phillies' 1-0 lead remained in tact.
Kevin Frandsen would record a one out ground-rule double in the fourth inning. He was moved forward on a Mayberry single that probably should have scored him, but an awkward jump held him at the corner. It ended up not being a factor, though, as Nix would also single, giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead.
Steve Susdorf would record his first major league hit, a double down the right field line, in the fifth. He would be moved to third on a Jimmy Rollins sacrifice, and following a Chase Utley intentional walk, Darin Ruf singled to plate Susdorf. 3-0 Phillies. (At this point, you absolutely had to know things were going to fall apart).
The bases would be loaded once again against Pettibone, and it wouldn't end so cleanly this time. Santiago, Jackson, and Kelly all reached base on singles to set the scene. Sopo singled to right to move each runner up and plate Santiago. Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez would then each ground out to bring home the next two runs, and the game was now tied 3-3.
If the bottom of the sixth inning did not officially crush all hopes and dreams of this Phillies team, I'm not sure what will. Jake Diekman came in to replace Pettibone, who still had a solid outing. He allowed a leadoff walk to Andy Dirks, and put two on by throwing the ball away on an Alex Avila ground ball. Diekman then could not handle Santiago's bunt, and the bases were loaded for the third time this game. Austin Jackson flew out as the first out of the inning.
Don Kelly would follow with a sac fly to left…well, almost. Susdorf dropped the easy fly ball, allowing Kelly to reach first and the other runners to move forward. Luis Garcia came into the game for relief, but provided none. Sopo drew a walk to score Avila and keep the bases full. Prince Fielder grounded to Ruf, but his throwing error, the third error of the inning for the Phillies, allowed Santiago to score and kept the bases loaded. Again. Garcia would allow a bases loaded walk. Again. Then, the dagger was thrusted. Jhonny Peralta hit a grand slam. 11-3 Tigers. Finally waking up, Garcia struck out the next two batters to end the frame.
For good measure, the Tigers would continue to score. Antonio Bastardo would be brought on in the seventh, where he allowed Jackson to clobber a double. Hernan Perez would single three batters later to bring home the Tigers' twelfth run.
The Phillies would score a fourth run in the game, but that really doesn't matter when you go 1-8 on a road trip. Phillies lose to Tigers, 12-4.
I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE. PHILLIES LOSE 63RD GAME IN A ROW. RUBEN AMARO STILL ISN'T SELLING. I CAN'T STOP YELLING.
Anyway, for those like me that are too brainwashed to stop watching this team, we get a day off tomorrow. On Tuesday, the San Francisco Giants will be in town to laugh at us to begin a three game set. Barry Zito will take on John Lannan at 7:05.
