Phillies fail to capitalize on bases loaded walks
The Phillies were unable to capitalize on several early scoring opportunities against the Dodgers on Tuesday, including a scoreless first inning that featured three bases loaded walks.
“The Dodgers literally gave us three runs there in the first inning and we couldn’t do anything with them,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “I didn’t think it was possible to face a guy that throws 16 straight balls and you can’t score. But, we found a way. We always do.”
The Phillies would later stumble upon two runs but went on to lose 6-2 after the Dodgers capitalized on several scoring opportunities without even swinging the bat.
Cliff Lee temporarily saves job with seven shutout innings
Cliff Lee helped his cause in maintaining his spot in the Phillies rotation on Monday by hurling seven shutout innings against the Dodgers with 10 strikeouts.
Charlie Manuel said that Lee’s impressive start earned the former Cy Young winner another turn in the rotation, but another bad outing could mean a demotion to the bullpen, or worse.
“I don’t know what this guy’s problem is, but he better fix it quick,” Manuel said of Lee, who currently leads the majors in strikeouts with 100. “This last start saved his ass, but I don’t know how much longer I can put up with him and his 3.62 ERA or whatever it is right now.”
Team sources indicate that the Phillies currently have a deal in place to trade Lee back to the Mariners for another trio of can’t-miss prospects in the event that Lee allows a hit in his next start.
Phillies offense continues to struggle against pitching
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda carried a no-hitter into the 8th inning against Philadelphia as the Phillies offense continued its lengthy struggle against pitching Monday night.
“We’ll be fine,” Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said of the team’s offensive drought. “We just need to improve in situations against pitchers that throw pitches. We’re not concerned though.”
Manager Charlie Manuel said Tuesday that while he does not plan on benching any players if the drought continues, he will continue to pinch hit for rookie Domonic Brown “in any future situations against pitching.”
Group led by Carlos Ruiz takes ownership of Jonathan Broxton
Previously owned by Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton, Jonathan Broxton was officially turned over to a group of Phillies led by Carlos Ruiz following a dramatic, walk-off win on Thursday.
“We now fully own Jonathan Broxton, but don’t expect things to change around here,” said majority owner Ruiz, who is now 3-for-3 against Broxton for his career with three doubles and four RBIs. “We will still pound his straight, 98-mph meat like we always have and he will likely stay as fat, if not more fat, than he has always been.”
The transfer of ownership to the Phillies ends a 26-year run by Broxton that included a disastrous senior prom in 2002 and surrendering an epic home run to Matt Stairs in Game 4 of the NLCS in 2008.
