Phillies Devoured By Green Monster
Fenway Park in Boston is endearingly referred to as the Green Monster. The Phillies went to Boston today and shortly thereafter, pitcher Jamie Moyer was served up on a silver platter for appetizer, entrée and dessert as a human sacrifice to the Green Monster. The Phillies lost 12-2 to the Red Sox; it was a complete and utter annihilation.
Moyer gave up 5 runs in the first inning and followed that with 4 more in the 2nd without recording an out. Moyer was pulled and left the game with an official record of 1 inning pitched, 9 runs and 9 hits. That calculates to an ERA of 81.00 for the game. Luckily, when it is rolled into the rest of his stats for the year, it is a slightly less frightening 5.03 ERA.
The offense, again, did themselves no favors. They scored only 2 runs and the usual problems, like grounding into double plays with the bases loaded, prevailed again. By the 4th inning, the Phils basically threw in the towel and sat stars Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino in favor of bench players, giving them some playing time.
The other big loser in the game besides the Phillies was Bill Hall of the Red Sox. While the rest of his team pounded Phillies pitching mercilessly, poor Hall was the only starter who went hitless. I actually felt bad for the guy. Maybe he is secretly a Phillies fan? Nah….
Still looking for that elusive silver lining? Ok, well the recently super-bad Jayson Werth finally started hitting again. He went 3 for 4 at the plate, although he still managed to leave 3 men on base. But a good day for Werth will hopefully get him back on track.
As for the rest of the team, I personally think they all need either a butt-kicking or a group hug. The fact that I cannot decide which would be more helpful is a testament to the complete horror of the past month in Phillies baseball. Ok, let us count today as the butt-kicking then, just to be more upbeat about it.
However, the Phillies are in big, big trouble. Fans are all familiar with the Phillies Interleague play follies of years past and this year has begun no differently. If they continue on this path, they may dig a hole too deep to climb out of. Start praying that tomorrow will be a better day. Joe Blanton will pitch and game time is 4:10pm.
Moyer photo by Jenn Zambri Photography
*Read more about the Phillies at my other home page, Phightin’ Phils Phorum in the My Team Rivals network*
Phillies Phollowers 
I’d prefer the group hug because nothing is worse than being kicked while you’re down. There’s something definitely wrong with the Phils collective psyche. Until they confront the issue, nothing will change for the better in my humble opinion. Let’s hope they’re finally ready to face what’s wrong. Here’s hoping for better days! I’m still cheering though no matter what.
It looks like the whole division has their shovels in hand. We are all digging in the same hole. We’re just kicking around eachother’s dirt and getting nowhere. Today I’m feeling a bit tough-love’ish….so go with the butt kicking.
mike
http://thebrooklyntrolleyblogger.mlblogs.com/
Boy, I felt alone in my misery after being trumped by the Angels 10-1 until I heard about the Phillies-Boston Red Sox score. Boo hoo.
http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com
Oh boy Jenn, and I just saw the score for Saturday! Ouch! I did not know as I was an Angel Stadium attending a required 2 hour session in order to volunteer for the All-Star Fan Fest.
I hope my Dodgers don’t follow that pattern. Good luck on Sunday! Love the pic!
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com