In a game all too reminiscent of the terrible 2013 season, the Phillies took a lead into the latter innings of the game Wednesday night, only to see the bullpen collapse in a 4-3 loss.
With a 3-1 lead entering the ninth, the Phillies seemed poised to leave Texas on a high note with a series win, but then things went awry in the ninth.
With a 3-1 lead entering the ninth, the Phillies seemed poised to leave Texas on a high note with a series win, but then things went awry in the ninth.
Jonathan Papelbon would enter the game with an opportunity to pick up a save, but would instead leave with a loss, as the closer allowed three runs to the Rangers, losing the game on a walk off walk.
Kyle Kendrick made his first start of the season, looking spectacular in seven innings pitched. Kendrick was a bit shaky in the first, but a bit of luck allowed him to catch Shin-Soo Choo in a rundown and escape the inning unscathed.
The right-hander would settle in from there, tossing seven innings, allowing one run, five hits and striking out four.
With the Phillies up 3-1, Mario Hollands would be tapped for the eighth inning. Just one night removed from picking up the loss in his Major League debut, Hollands turned things around, tossing a perfect inning in relief.
The Phillies got on the board in the first on an RBI single by Chase Utley, and would tack on two more in the third on a two-run home run by Ryan Howard, his first of the season.
Despite being put in a position to win, the Phillies found a way to lose, as Papelbon seemed more concerned over the positioning of the defense than the fact that he walked in the winning run.
The Phillies will have Thursday off before opening a series in Chicago against the Cubs on Friday. Roberto Hernandez is set to take the mound in his Phillies debut.
Notes: Jimmy Rollins missed the game, as he was in Philadelphia with his wife who is expecting the couple's second child. Freddy Galvis, who is recovering from MRSA, began baseball activities on Monday and could return some time in mid-April.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Kyle Kendrick made his first start of the season, looking spectacular in seven innings pitched. Kendrick was a bit shaky in the first, but a bit of luck allowed him to catch Shin-Soo Choo in a rundown and escape the inning unscathed.
The right-hander would settle in from there, tossing seven innings, allowing one run, five hits and striking out four.
With the Phillies up 3-1, Mario Hollands would be tapped for the eighth inning. Just one night removed from picking up the loss in his Major League debut, Hollands turned things around, tossing a perfect inning in relief.
The Phillies got on the board in the first on an RBI single by Chase Utley, and would tack on two more in the third on a two-run home run by Ryan Howard, his first of the season.
Despite being put in a position to win, the Phillies found a way to lose, as Papelbon seemed more concerned over the positioning of the defense than the fact that he walked in the winning run.
The Phillies will have Thursday off before opening a series in Chicago against the Cubs on Friday. Roberto Hernandez is set to take the mound in his Phillies debut.
Notes: Jimmy Rollins missed the game, as he was in Philadelphia with his wife who is expecting the couple's second child. Freddy Galvis, who is recovering from MRSA, began baseball activities on Monday and could return some time in mid-April.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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