Another wasted pitching effort, this time seven innings of 1 run, 5 hit ball by  Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick on Wednesday, another moribund offensive effort — its getiing to be a repetitious broken record, no clutch performances as  Atlanta starter Derek Lowe took on the appearance of tonight’s “world beater” and Billy Wagner resurected his closer role as the Braves edged the Phillies by a 2-1 score to became yet another team to sweep the 2009 NL Champs.

The Phils, who entered this series still in 1st place in the NL East division by 1/2 game, leave after the Braves sweep 2 1/2 games behind in 2nd place.   The Mets and Florida both lost their games and are 4 1/2 games behind the 1st place Braves. 

With the Phils latest losing string now at 4 games, nobody, but nobody delivers offensively.  Take for instance 2nd baseman Chase Utley who stranded 3 runners by himself in this one while hitting into a doubleplay.  And pinch hitter Shane Victorino, sent in to pinch hit with 2 out for leftfielder Raul Ibanez who took another collar, and struck out on 3 pitches with the tying run on in the ninth inning.  At this point, the 2009 NL Champs more closely resemble the 1959 chumps than possible 3 time NL pennant winners.  This is easily the worst funk I’ve seen in the 4 plus seasons of this blog’s life.

It is evident that the Phils still sorely miss their leadoff hitter and table-setter shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who remains on the DL, and 3rd baseman Placido Polanco who sits while suffering with a recurring elbow inury and who has now missed 5 games.

Again, no homers — 1 homer in 77 innings, no extra-base hits.  Another ugly loss.  Another pitching performance deserving of far better.  To read more about this latest stinker, supposedly by a team laden with power, click here.

To view the scores of all of Wednesday’s MLB games, click here.

The Phils have Thursday off before heading home for a 7 game stand at Citizen’s Bank Park beginning with a 4 game series with the San Diego Padres beginning Friday through Monday.  In Friday’s series opener, “the Doc” Roy ‘Perfect Game’ Halladay is opposed by Mat Latos for the Padres.  Pitchers have yet to be announced by either team for Saturday’s game 2.

To view all of Thursday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s games,  click here, here and  here.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 4:28 pm and is filed under Real-Time Baseball News and Commentary
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