"Getting off to an 0-2 start isn't what we wanted, but we've been here before. That's kind of the good thing about it. At no point are we going to panic."
-Ryan Howard
-Ryan Howard
BY SCOTT LAUBER
Short post tonight because we have to back here at the Bank in less than 12 hours. But, really, there isn't much to say after a 4-0 loss to the Braves.
The Phillies had their chances against Jair Jurrjens, but went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base. They also had several well-hit balls knocked down by a strong wind gusting to right field (Jayson Werth's shot to left field in the third inning and drives to center by Raul Ibanez in the fourth and Matt Stairs in the sixth). And, afterward, I thought Ryan Howard put things into the best perspective when he said, "We've been here before."
Indeed, slow starts have been the norm for the Phillies in recent years. Just check out the numbers:
--This is the fourth consecutive season in which they have started 0-2. In 2004 and 2006, they lost six of their first seven games. In 2007, they started 4-11 and were playing so poorly that they called a team meeting before a game in Cincinnati. Even last year, they lost 10 of their first 18 games.
--They have lost the season-opening series in five straight seasons and are 2-12 in season-opening series games under Charlie Manuel.
--Usually, the Phillies' bats are colder than the April temps, and that's the case again this year. Through two games, they are 10-for-65 (.154) and have scored one run in 18 innings. But at least they put runners on base tonight, unlike Sunday night when they were utterly silenced by Derek Lowe. The next step, it seems, is getting those runners across home plate. It'll happen, eventually.
--The Phillies are the third World Series champion in the last five years to start the following season 0-2. The 2005 Red Sox went 0-2, while the 2007 Cardinals started 0-3.
***
Looking for positives? The bullpen has retired 21 straight batters to start the season. Making his Phillies debut and his final tuneup before his start Sunday in Colorado, Chan Ho Park pitched a scoreless sixth inning.
So, at least Phillies fans in Korea are going to sleep happy.
Short post tonight because we have to back here at the Bank in less than 12 hours. But, really, there isn't much to say after a 4-0 loss to the Braves.
The Phillies had their chances against Jair Jurrjens, but went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left 11 on base. They also had several well-hit balls knocked down by a strong wind gusting to right field (Jayson Werth's shot to left field in the third inning and drives to center by Raul Ibanez in the fourth and Matt Stairs in the sixth). And, afterward, I thought Ryan Howard put things into the best perspective when he said, "We've been here before."
Indeed, slow starts have been the norm for the Phillies in recent years. Just check out the numbers:
--This is the fourth consecutive season in which they have started 0-2. In 2004 and 2006, they lost six of their first seven games. In 2007, they started 4-11 and were playing so poorly that they called a team meeting before a game in Cincinnati. Even last year, they lost 10 of their first 18 games.
--They have lost the season-opening series in five straight seasons and are 2-12 in season-opening series games under Charlie Manuel.
--Usually, the Phillies' bats are colder than the April temps, and that's the case again this year. Through two games, they are 10-for-65 (.154) and have scored one run in 18 innings. But at least they put runners on base tonight, unlike Sunday night when they were utterly silenced by Derek Lowe. The next step, it seems, is getting those runners across home plate. It'll happen, eventually.
--The Phillies are the third World Series champion in the last five years to start the following season 0-2. The 2005 Red Sox went 0-2, while the 2007 Cardinals started 0-3.
***
Looking for positives? The bullpen has retired 21 straight batters to start the season. Making his Phillies debut and his final tuneup before his start Sunday in Colorado, Chan Ho Park pitched a scoreless sixth inning.
So, at least Phillies fans in Korea are going to sleep happy.
2 comments:
How soon before the "loyal" fans will be calling for Manuel's head? They're already booing Ibanez. To be considered a fan, there should a test for minimum IQ (say 50). But wait, would there be any "fans" left after the test?
Doubtful
Put a fork in them. The Phillies are done. These two losses have serious playoff implications. If the Phillies fail to make the Wild Card, then these first two losses will be devastating!!!
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