BY SCOTT LAUBERTORONTO -- So, for nearly 20 minutes after last night's game, the door to the Phillies' clubhouse here remained shut.
The time had come, at last, for a little chat.
What was said -- and by whom -- stayed behind that door. But 27 players, a staff of coaches and Charlie Manuel were present. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. even left his two daughters with a team official and joined the meeting after the Phillies fell for the 11th time in 13 games, 6-1 to the Blue Jays on a night in which they were no-hit for six innings by a rookie pitcher and their World Series MVP ace was ejected after lasting only 4-2/3.
And when it was over, and players began quietly milling about their cramped quarters, Chase Utley stood at his locker and summed up the mood.
"There are a lot of mentally tough guys on this team," he said. "This is not going to get the best of us."
Quick turnaround here today, which is probably good for the Phillies. Less time to dwell on another dreadful loss in a string of dreadful losses this month. Less time for us, too, to analyze every little aspect of that loss. That said, on The Day After, Jimmy Rollins remains on the bench. For the third straight game, Eric Bruntlett is the shortstop. Manuel, still married to the lefty-righty matchups, has righty-swinging John Mayberry Jr. (LF) and Chris Coste (DH) in the lineup instead of lefty-hitting Matt Stairs and Greg Dobbs. With another lefty on the mound for the Jays tomorrow, it figures to remain that way.
The Phillies need to score some runs today, sure. And they should, considering they're facing Brad Mills, whom they knocked around 10 days ago at the Bank. But, as always, the way out of this mess starts with starting pitching, and the Phillies desperately need a quality start (or better) from J.A. Happ.
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The Phillies endured a nearly identical swoon last June, also against AL opponents. They went 3-9 against the Red Sox, Angels, Athletics and Rangers from June 16-29 and had their division lead cut from four games to one. A year later, they’re 2-11 against the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles and Rays, and their NL East lead has shrunk from four games on June 14 to a half-game this morning.
Last night, Shane Victorino made the point that the June woes ended on the first week of July when the Phillies ceased inter-league play and traveled to Atlanta for a three-game series. Well, guess where they're going Monday after inter-league play ends?
Yep, Atlanta.
"I don't think we're trying to mimic anything," Utley said. "I believe we have a very good team. Right now, we're definitely not playing good baseball, all-around. No one's happy in here, but definitely no one's giving up."
1 comment:
Heavy-hitting Gil Valezquez has the ability to turn this team around. He can easily carry the team on his back. And while they're at it the Phillies could think about reviving the career of Butch Huskey.
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