Philadelphia Phillies crumble in 1-6 defeat against San Diego Padres - MLB Update
Starter Joe Blanton struggles on the mound, taking the Philadelphia Phillies to a 1-6 loss against San Diego Padres on April 22, 2012 at Petco Park in San Diego, California.
Every game they are playing reminds everyone what experts talked of them before the start of the season. Veterans like Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins are doing their best, the fact others are miserably poor, not able to go across home plate, their effort
is not going to bring fruits.
Only hope the Phillies had is their strong rotation, but from the last two games, they have been mediocre even on this front. Ace Roy Halladay walked unnecessarily in the last game, a performance nearly unseen in his whole career.
Today Blanton, instead of blocking runs at the time the Phillies had little support from their offence, gave up seven hits in six innings and allowed six runs.
Partly however fielding errors were also responsible for six runs he conceded.
Manager Charlie Manuel was disheartened after the game, unable to draw something substantial from the side in the last few games he calls this time a test of the abilities of the whole staff. How they react to the problems at hand will determine their fate
in the season ahead.
"The last two nights were just bad games," Manuel said. "Today, it got a little bit sloppier. It's been a while since we played this bad. I look at it like this is a test. It's a test for the coaching staff, the manager and the players. I see guys who are
trying too hard. They just need to relax and play like we can."
Left-fielder Juan Pierre stood out as the only player the Phillies drew maximum number of hits as he went 3-for-4.
If it was not for the five walks Padres’ starter Anthony Bass gave up, even the sole run Phillies added will not come their way.
Can the Phillies move on from now on with positive mindset is a question which will decide their ability to utilise whatever little resources they have been left with.
Therefore, only thing they have to focus on is to find positives and build on them.
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