Rollins Sits, Phillies Lose Game 2 to Mets
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All unbeaten strings are bound to end, and with shortstop Jimmy Rollins on the bench as a precaution after his turned ankle and the Phillies looking lost on defense, slumbering on offense and floundering on the mound, the Mets won the second game of their series by an 8-2 score.
Regarding Rollins’ status in the Phillies lineup, Yahoo sports’ Stats writer Nicolino Di Benedetto notes;
Rollins might be back Thursday…. X-rays were negative, but the injury still forced the reigning NL MVP to sit out Wednesday’s contest, ending his run of 230 consecutive games and moving Eric Bruntlett into the lineup at short.
Bruntlett, though, booted two grounders in a six-run third inning as the Phillies matched a season high with four errors in an 8-2 loss, ending their streaks against the Mets.
“It’s the first start. That’s not how you want it to go, that’s for sure,” said Bruntlett, who also went 1-for-4 at the plate.
The Phils really needed Rollins, their fireplug, in Wednesday’s game. Young starter Kyle Kendrick, who normally possesses pinpoint control, was uncharacteristically wild issuing 3 walks in the first inning with a Mets run scoring on a booted play by 2nd baseman Chase Utley. In the second inning, Kendrick walked the bases loaded with a sacrifice and a ground out sandwiched in between the first and second walks. He emerged from the inning unscathed by getting centerfielder Carlos Betran to ground into the final out.
Meanwhile, the Phillies knotted the game at 1-1 in the second inning on Carlos Ruiz’s RBI single off of starter Mike Pelfrey after the Phillies loaded the bases with one out on 2 singles and an error by Mets shortstop Jose Reyes. The Phils could have had more, however, Pelfrey got Kendrick to ground into a fielder’s choice play at the plate amd centerfielder Shane Victorino, batting in Rollins’ leadoff spot, grounded to 3rd base to end the inning.
The roof caved in on Phillies in the third inning as the Mets scored 6 runs off Kendrick and relief pitcher Chad Durbin on 4 hits, 2 Bruntlett fielding errors, a throwing error by catcher Ruiz and a Durbin wild pitch. All 7 runs were charged to losing pitcher Kendrick, although only 1 run was earned.
Durbin, who entered the game in relief of Kendrick with one out in the third inning, pitched 3 2/3 hitless shutout innings walking one and striking out four.
With the score 7-1, the Phillies picked up their 2nd and final run in the fifth inning on an RBI double by Chase Utley.
Meanwhile Pelfrey, who was credited with the win, tossed 100 pitches through five innings and gave up both Phillies runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. The bullpen shut down the Phillies through the final four innings, allowing only 3 hits and a walk. 2 of the hits, along with a walk, came in the eighth inning as the Phils loaded the bases with 2 out. But reliever Pedro Feliciano got 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz to pop out to rightfield to end the threat.
The Mets added their final run in the eighth inning off of reliever Clay Condrey. Newly acquired reliever Rudy Seanez walked one in pitching a scoreless ninth.
The Mets recorded just 5 hits for the game, but Kendrick’s 6 walks and Durbin’s walk were as good as hits. Slugging 1st baseman Ryan Howard struck out two more times in the game for a seasonal total so far of 13 strikeouts in 9 games. That projects to a total of 233 fans for the season. With his current paltry .188 BA with only one homer and three RBIs, Howard’s gotta uncork and soon. There is no lacking of opportunities in this lineup for the big cleanup hitter. He just has to deliver. And when he puts it together, it’ll make all the difference in the world to this lineup.
For all of the scores, boxscores and recaps on Wednesday’s games, click here.
It is left to Adam Eaton, who pitched well in last Saturday’s 4-3 loss to Cincinnati, to try to beat the Mets in Thursday’s get-away game. Yahoo Sports’ Phillies team report notes;
Eaton is 5-0 with a 2.68 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets. At Shea, he is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA.
Eaton will face John Maine who holds a 4-0 career record and 2.13 ERA in 6 starts against the Phils. Here’s hoping that #11 is back at shortstop for Thursday’s game.
The Phils next entertain the Chicago Cubs for a three-game weekend series at Citizen’s Bank Park. Friday’s opener features Brett Myers vs Jason Marquis.
For the scores, boxscores and recaps on Thursday’s games, click here.
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