Exactly the kind of game I was afraid was going to happen. Of course you can't win them all, but you need to win the games you should, and this was one of them.
I mean between the offense going cold after going up 4-0 with plenty of chances afterward, letting the Astros back in it with a cookie of a pitch (albeit after some lucky hits), and then the old BP showing back up in the Phillies kryptonite, the 8th inning, this game was the perfect storm of suck. Then again they were playing at Minute Maid where they've been garbage over the past 5 years.
Cant throw the blame all on the pen. They're getting worn out pitching the same guys every night lately. It doesn't help that they were into the pen after just 3 innings from Cloyd. The offense had countless chances with RISP that they didnt cash in on. I kept saying to myself that they were going to lose this game if they didnt get themselves more than a 1 run lead. Did anyone really expect the BP to throw 6 scoreless innings?
I expected this this series. With the Phillies especially, I've noticed that as their win streaks go on, their effort goes down further. It was bound to happen, I'm not heartbroken, just hope they rebound today.
That run had to end. So lucky to see the Phillies win so many in a row while the five teams ahead of them are losing all those in a row. I don't see it happening this year. Too little too late. It is possible, for sure, but I just can't imagine the Phillies continuing to play at the level they have been during September, while the Cards, Pirates, Dodgers, AND Brewers all continue to slump. Phillies may keep playing well, and a few of those teams may continue to slump, but it is just so very unlikely that those four teams (Arizona too since they are only 1/2 game back of the Phills) all slump for the rest of the year while the Phillies keep winning. Again, possible, but highly unlikely. They shoulda just tanked.
I love Utley but he had a couple oppurtunities last night to put that game away and couldn't get a hit. I'm expecting a bounce back game from him tonight, you know its gotta be eating at him with how competitive he is.
Exactly what I expected. Lost a must-win game to the Houston Astros of all teams.
