After a day off yesterday, the Phillies (61-73) headed north to New York (63-72) to face the Mets for a three game series. To open the series, the Phillies rookie right hander, David Buchanan (6-7 4.03 ERA) to the hill. Buchanan has been an excellent stretch since being recalled to the majors. Lowing his ERA almost a whole run from 4.95 to 4.03. Buchanan was opposed by fellow rookie right-hander, Jacob deGrom (7-6 2.94 ERA). deGrom is having an excellent rookie season as one of three of the Mets strong young starters.
The Game:
Both starting pitchers were stellar heading into the fourth inning. In bottom of the fourth, the Mets struck first. Buchanan got Curtis Granderson to strike out for the first out. David Wright followed with a single to center, who moved up to second after a ground out by Lucas Duda. Travis d’Arnaud followed with a single to left on a ball deflected by Jimmy Rollins. 1-0 Mets
In the seventh, the Phillies battled to tie up the game. Marlon Byrd singled to center to lead off the inning. Grady Sizemore then reached on a throwing error by Lucas Duda. After Ruiz popped up a bunt for the first out, Cody Asche hit a single that fell into short left center field to tie the game. 1-1 TIE
The bottom of the inning was one that the Phillies would like to forget. With one out, Jake Diekman walked Matt den Dekker. After getting Dilson Herrera to line out sharply to Chase Utley, Diekman hit Wilmer Flores with a pitch and walked Eric Campbell to load the bases. That would end Diekman’s night; replaced by Justin De Fratus. Just when De Fratus and the Phillies thought they were able to get out of the innings, Grady Sizemore botched an inning ending catch allowing two runs to score. Eric Campbell then stole home. 4-1 Mets FINAL
Significant Offensive Stats:
Chase Utley: 2-4
Marlon Byrd: 1-3 BB R
Cody Asche: 1-3 BB RBI
Impact: With tonight loss, the Phillies ended their four game win streak. Phillies need a win tomorrow for a chance to series win streak alive. Tonight’s loss again showed the Phillies biggest problem this season, allowing one bad inning to get the best of them. That will be something they will look to fix next season in order to be successful.
Up Next: Tomorrow the Phillies will look to tie up the series at game apiece when they send Jermone Williams (4-5 5.42 ERA) to the hill. Williams has been excellent since starting his career in a Phillies uniform after Roberto Hernandez was traded to the Dodgers. In 20.1 innings, Williams has a ERA of 1.77 ERA with only 13 hits allowed. The Mets will counter with veteran right-hander, Bartolo Colon (12-10 3.82 ERA). Colon is having a stellar year for a 41 year old. In his last start versus the Phillies, Colon took the win going eight innings earning the win only giving up one run.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Ashipotofsky
