Philadelphia Phillies face 0-6 defeat against Boston Red Sox in Spring Training - MLB Update
Starter Joe Blanton leaked five runs as Philadelphia Phillies record their fourth shutout in Spring Training, losing 0-6 to Boston Red Sox at Bright House Networks in Clearwater, Florida on March 26, 2012 in their Grapefruit League clash.
A likely fifth starter for Phillies, his today’s performance has confirmed apprehension of pitching coach, Rich Dubee. He had not mentioned him along with Roy Halladay, Vance Worley and Cole Hamels, who are confirmed for the regular season rotation.
Blanton threw five innings and while being hit seven times he was thrashed a homer twice. However, he struck out five along the way. When asked about his role during season, he made it clear that he is just looking to get his throws right irrespective of
his status on rotation.
"No idea -- he hasn't said anything to me," said Blanton. "I don't know. I don't pay any attention. I'm just going in, getting my work in."
On the whole, it is more their batters than pitchers that have let Phillies down. Hits not coming off and with base runners making dead rubber attempts to score runs, they need a bashers, one who can bring more extra-bases.
Going by their performance in last few games, one can realise an extent to which they are missing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, two of their injured hitters with amazing career record.
Out of 28 at-bats, Phillies saw only three hits where as Boston managed 11 hits. Phillies’ injured second baseman Utley has 1198 career hits and RBI record of 694. First baseman Howard, another player suffering an injury, boasts 286 career home runs.
The sooner both players recover, the easier it will be for Phillies to get rid of a malaise of shutout innings.
Boston starter Jon Lester looked impregnable in his time on the mound. Without conceding any run, he struck out ten in seven innings. He rightly justified his role as an opening day starter for Boston.
With two back-to-back defeats, Phillies will hope to get their confidence back. Right now what they need most is a good start from their batters and sooner they get those scoring runs, a better performance from whole side will start coming forth.
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