This has been a tough stretch. I’m not sure what’s worse, losing three straight to a tough team like the Mets or losing two of three to a bad team like the Phillies. We’ve also slipped below .500 and even with the win today, we’re a win away from an even record.
On Friday, the Devil Rays jumped all over Cole Hamels. He dropped to 1-2 and he gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits and one walk in 3 2/3 innings. Jimmy Rollins drove in two and Ryan Howard had two hits and an RBI in the 10-4 loss.
Yesterday was more of the same, although this game was close for a while. The Devil Rays were up 3-2 before they started scoring runs in the sixth inning and the game ended up being 7-2. Scott Kazmir held the Phillies in check and the two runs were scored on back to back homeruns by Abraham Nunez and Sal Fasano. Scott Mathieson made his first career start and he gave up four runs on eight hits in six innings.
Today, the Phillies finally got a win. Ryan Howard’s three run homerun in the fifth inning opened this game up and Ryan Madson pitched well enough to improve to 7-4 on the season. Howard ended up with four RBIs and Tom Gordon threw 1 2/3 to earn his 19th save of the season. Chase Utley scored three times and stole his seventh base of the season.
It doesn’t get easier, because the Yankees come to town although they haven’t looked all that great the last week and a half. Maybe we can catch them while they’re down.
