The Phillies, mainly Cole Hamels, mustered just enough to head to the ninth inning with a 1 to 0 lead tonight. The wheels then proceeded to fall off, as Jonathan Papelbon entered the game and surrendered the lead, collecting the loss and blowing his sixth save of the season.
Hamels, although struggling with his pitch count, managed to battle through eight shutout innings on the evening. In a pitcher's duel between him and Matt Cain, Hamels allowed zero runs while scattering seven hits. While Cain was more efficient and had better command on the night, Hamels left the game in a position to win. On a night where the Phillies honored Brad Lidge, who was perfect in save opportunities in 2008, Jonathan Papelbon entered the game in the ninth and blew the save. After allowing the game to be tied, Papelbon subsequently surrendered the lead and with it the game.
The Phillies offense was lackluster yet again, scoring only one run on seven hits. That run came courtesy of Cole Hamels helping himself in the fifth inning. Following two-out singles by Laynce Nix and Carlos Ruiz, Hamels stepped to the plate with a chance to give himself and his team the lead. He did just that, singling on a line drive to left field to score Nix. Hamels was subsequently picked off at first base, but not before he had done some damage. Unfortunately, Papelbon came on to blow the game, possibly Hamels' best outing of the season. After loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Phillies failed to plate a run, and took the loss.
The Phillies will now welcome the NL East leading Braves to Citizens Bank Park for a four game series. Highly touted prospect Ethan Martin will make his major league debut as he takes Cliff Lee's turn in the rotation, as the ace remains sidelined with a stiff neck.
Side note, Brad "Lights Out" Lidge retired tonight and was celebrated as the Phillies kicked off alumni weekend. He took the mound one last time as he threw out the first pitch to his battery-mate from the 2008 World Series, Carlos Ruiz.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
The Phillies offense was lackluster yet again, scoring only one run on seven hits. That run came courtesy of Cole Hamels helping himself in the fifth inning. Following two-out singles by Laynce Nix and Carlos Ruiz, Hamels stepped to the plate with a chance to give himself and his team the lead. He did just that, singling on a line drive to left field to score Nix. Hamels was subsequently picked off at first base, but not before he had done some damage. Unfortunately, Papelbon came on to blow the game, possibly Hamels' best outing of the season. After loading the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Phillies failed to plate a run, and took the loss.
The Phillies will now welcome the NL East leading Braves to Citizens Bank Park for a four game series. Highly touted prospect Ethan Martin will make his major league debut as he takes Cliff Lee's turn in the rotation, as the ace remains sidelined with a stiff neck.
Side note, Brad "Lights Out" Lidge retired tonight and was celebrated as the Phillies kicked off alumni weekend. He took the mound one last time as he threw out the first pitch to his battery-mate from the 2008 World Series, Carlos Ruiz.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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