O, Where Art Thou?
The Phillies can't score runs, and that's become a problem.
The Phillies haven't had more than nine hits in a game in August. They're also hitting .192 (44 for 249) and averaging just 2.43 runs per game this month. And they have been shutout in back-to-back games after last night's 2-0 loss in 12 innings to the Pirates.
That's 23 consecutive scoreless innings.
O, Where Art Thou?
Todd Zolecki
It's hard to explain.
The Phillies have scored 563 runs (4.90 runs per game) this season, which are the second most in the National League. Only the Chicago Cubs have scored more (618). But people who see the Phillies every day often don't see that high-powered offense at the top of the stat sheet, especially recently. The Phillies haven't had more than nine hits in a game in August. They're also hitting .192 (44 for 249) and averaging just 2.43 runs per game this month. And they also have been shutout in back-to-back games after last night's 2-0 loss in 12 innings to the Pirates.
That's 23 consecutive scoreless innings.
And think back to Tuesday's 8-2 loss to the Marlins, when Shane Victorino hit a two-run homer that clearly was a foul ball. Remove the phantom homer from the equation and the Phillies have scored in just four of their previous 39 innings, and could have been shutout in three of their past four games.
"We left 12 men on base," Charlie Manuel said. "We had all kinds of chances to win the game, and we couldn't get it done. I don't have to say nothing to them on a night like this. I don't have to say a word."
The Phillies have hit .240 and averaged 4.13 runs per game in 46 games since June 13. They hit .265 and averaged 5.41 runs per game in their first 69 games of the season. To put those numbers into perspective, the 5.41 runs per game is better than the Cubs (5.33) have averaged this season. Only the Texas Rangers (5.57) have been better than that. But the 4.13 runs per game the Phillies have been averaging for the last nine weeks would be the fourth-worst mark in the NL, better only than San Francisco (3.84), Washington (3.79) and San Diego (3.75).
It's hard to explain, but the Phillies need to find a solution soon.
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In the Phillies Notebook: Scott Eyre arrives, J.A. Happ leaves, Tom Gordon's Phillies career seems finished and more on injuries to Pedro Feliz and Rudy Seanez.
How about no more sign stealing as the root cause...much harder to hit when you don't know what pitch is coming.......— Mark1npt- In the last five games the starters have given up 6 earned runs in 31 1/3 innings. My math is bad but I think that comes out to about a 1.80 ERA. The team is 2-3 in that span. For those ripping the ownership it's the big contract guys, Utley, Rollins, Howard and Burrell that are mailing in the efforts and playing stupid baseball these days; this has nothing to do with being cheap. We can talk about what to do with the players in the offseason but right now we're stuck with this bunch. If this manager can't motivate them, get another one, now. I was listening to the game as I drove home last night, Larry Andersen mentioned how the players keep saying the offense will be great once they turn things around, then he said this is game 115 so when do they plan on turning it around? He's dead on. My patience has run out. P.S. RELEASE CARLOS RUIZ!!!— KMG
- I got to wonder how we stack up against last year position by posisiton. I am willing ot bet the farm that CF, 3B, and even RF (who we aquired off season or replaced internally) are all producing better this year then last. It's the core of the team, as KMG says (1B, 2B, SS, C) who are way below average. Only retuning player playing to potential is Pat the Bat. Sign for 3 more years ASAP— jeff gross
- I can see the Phils putting up 12-15 runs tonight....one of those feel good explosions they have periodically.....then scoring 1 run tomorrow and losing the series.— bski
- MrPhillie....In response to your statement from the previous thread....check out this postgame quote from Rollins....."Everyone wants to use the word frustration," said Jimmy Rollins. "We don't use that word frustrated. We've been on the other side, where we are always down, looking up, trying to win a game, only just to stay a game back. We're on the opposite side of that. We're still in first place. We have to keep looking forward and go out there tomorrow and get a win."— bski
- bski...thanks for the quote. I read that as well and could have predicted that would be Rollins' take on the situation. It's one thing not to get too down and to see the cup as half-full, but it's another to not take responsibility for your poor play and to tease fans into thinking it will get better the next game. Why does the "next game" never seem to come? I also agree with jg that it is not simply a matter of the "supporting cast" not playing well...sure they are not great players, but our supposed "great" players are stinking it up. It's not the responsibility of the guys making $500,000 or even $2 mil to carry a team. No, that responsibility lies with those making $6-12 million/year. It's time for these players to step up and earn that paycheck. At least show that you care.— MrPhillie
- Todd, I havent see it, but has anyone asked Charlie what logic bats Utley and Howard together and Burrell, our best OBP man, ahead of our worst hitters?— Nick M
- Milt Thompson ?— pat h
- I could have predicted that Rollins' quote, too. ALL the players know how to play the media game. I'd love to know what's said when the media is kicked out of the clubhouse. And bski.....I'll take those 12-15 runs. Since I'll be at the game tonight. LOL!— Norma
- Norma: I'd rather have those 12-15 runs broken up over the next 3 games. The way this teams been playing, I don't want blow outs, I just want a steady 3-4 runs a game and rely on my pitching to keep the other team from scoring (can anyone believe I'm saying this about the Phillies pitching?)— jeff gross
- Norma....couldn't find any takers for your tickets, or did you just lose your head in a moment of frustration last night?— bski
- Boooooooooo!!!!!!!!
- and everyone thought our pitching was too poor to contend,, hats off to the guys who have been stellar in the pen and in starting pitching,to all the people who thougt blanton was a joke shame on you. with kk myers. blanton, hamels and moyer pitching this week and we can't gey 5 runs that is preetty pathetic, let the pitching core give our players h.... they need a kick fro somewhere— pattymac3
- If last year was goosebumps, this year is heartburn. Blanton's effort being wasted was a crime. And what was Charley thinking with Lidge coming in? Drove home mad the whole way, still ticked this morning. Norma, please bring them some luck tonight.— jimmymack
- I'm at a loss for what's happening with this team. It's one thing to lose a game, but to not generate any runs for over 20 innings is just mind boggling! Pat Burrell came oh so close in the 8th and I'll give him credit for throwing his bat in frustration when he popped out with the bases loaded in the 9th or 10th. It should some emotion as they continue to struggle. Norma--PLEASE bring luck 2night!— KarenA
