The Phillies were completely shut down offensively last night. Managing just four hits, the Phillies lost their 12th game of the year, falling three under .500. Cole Hamels allowed two earned runs on seven hits through eight innings. It wasn't enough though, as Hamels took his third loss to bring him to 0-3 for the first time in his career. Hamels is not to blame at all last night, it's the offense that needs to step it up. Hopefully the bats can do something tonight to back up Roy Halladay (2-2, 6.04 ERA) as he takes on Wandy Rodriguez (2-0, 0.56 ERA) and the Pirates tonight.
Roy Halladay has proven all of the doubters wrong lately. Winning his last two outings, Halladay has shown that he still has the movement in his pitches as well as velocity. Maybe it was just a matter of time before he felt comfortable with his armslot as well as mentality on the mound. In his last start, against St. Louis on Friday, Halladay allowed two earned runs on two hits while striking out six batters enroute to his 201st career win. Halladay used his sinker pitch effectly last time around, throwing it more than 50 times. In his career against Pittsburgh, Halladay is 4-1 with an 0.98 ERA (5 ER in 46 IP).
Wandy Rodriguez has been spectacular to start off the season. Making his fourth start tonight, Rodriguez is looking to continue his dominance on the mound. In 16 innings over three starts, Rodriguez has allowed just one earned run while striking out 11 and walking one. Despite his one start being shortened with hamstring tightness, Rodriguez managed to hold the Braves to one hit on Friday. Rodriguez has found tough times while pitching at Citizens Bank Park, owning a 7.11 ERA in four starts. In his career against the Phillies, Rodriguez has a 2-2 record and a 5.11 ERA (14 ER in 24 2/3 IP).
Game Notes:
- THE BATS NEED TO WAKE THE HECK UP!
- Roy Halladay has seemed to find his edge and it's vital to give him enough run support to keep his momentum up.
- Michael Young is riding a 14-game hitting streak.
Phillies lineup:
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Michael Young 3B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- John Mayberry Jr. RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Ben Revere CF
- Humberto Quintero C
- Roy Halladay P
Pirates lineup:
- Starling Marte LF
- Travis Snider RF
- Andrew McCutchen CF
- Garrett Jones 1B
- Neil Walker 2B
- Pedro Alvarez 3B
- Russell Martin C
- John McDonald SS
- Wandy Rodriguez P
First Pitch Forecast: Mostly Cloudy – 68° – 10% PoP
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT
Let's Go Phillies!
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.
