Yesterday's frustrating loss to the Rockies had a bit of everything and everybody. Cole Hamels kept his dismal record in day games this season intact, giving up four runs in five innings, including a two-run homer to Yorvit Torrealba, a light hitter who always manages to sabotage the Phillies. Lifted after the 5th, Hamels rushed to the hospital to join his wife Heidi, who had gone into labor. (She gave birth this morning to a boy.) Charlie Manuel managed all-out, using starters J.A. Happ, who was quickly lifted when hit in the leg by a line drive, and Joe Blanton, who made a key defensive mistake. In all the Phillies used seven pitchers and the Rockies six. The problem, though, was the offense. The Phillies were simply unable to do anything against Aaron Cook, a pitcher they have pretty much handled. They put up a fight late but it was not enough.
Whatever the problems in the 'pen, the deficiencies on the bench are also scary. Cliff Lee (!) came in as a pinch-runner for Matt Stairs in the 9th, when the Phillies got the winning run on base but Victorino looped one to Barmes at second to end the game. Rockies 5, Phillies 4. The game lasted three hours and 48 minutes. How lucky am I that my ticket was for Game 1?
