The Phillies' season continued its downward spiral on Tuesday night, as the club hit perhaps it lowest moment in quite some time. Not only was the final score an embarrassment in the Phillies 19-3 loss to the Orioles, the management was disgraceful as well. The Orioles had this one locked up from the start, scoring six runs in the first inning alone, as Phillies starter Jerome Williams was forced to exit the game in the first after injuring his hamstring. |
The shit show of a game would continue from there for the Phillies, as they found themselves down 17-3 after six innings of play.
In the seventh, the Phillies were desperate enough that they called on outfielder Jeff Francoeur to pitch in relief. Francoeur would retire the side in order - in the first inning of the game where the Phillies did not allow a run - and the Phillies would allow him to come back out to the mound in the eighth.
Francoeur would allow two runs in the eighth, but the real issue was the Phillies' coaching staff leaving him in to throw 48 pitches. This left Chase Utley visibly upset, and he let pitching coach Bob McClure hear it during a visit to the mound.
The Phillies would lose an embarrassment of a game 19-3 in the end, but more embarrassing than the loss was the continued poor management of the team. If Ryne Sandberg and staff had not earned their pink slips yet this season, this game should be the final straw.
At least, we should all hope it is.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat