Philadelphia Phillies humiliated by Atlanta Braves 0-5 as Antonio Bastardo leaks five runs - MLB
Bullpen becomes the cause of defeat for the Philadelphia Phillies again as the relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo leaks runs, costing the club an overwhelming 0-5 defeat against the Atlanta Braves on July 6, 2012 in first game of the three match series at Citizens
Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia’s bat remained quiet for most part of the game. While Ryan Howard played his first game of the season, run production did not come off. Two hits Howard struck in the game were unable to charge their offence up.
Similarly, second baseman Chase Utley was hitless.
Braves also were not at their best. Going scoreless all through the innings except the eighth, they struck just six hits.
Only difference between them and the Phillies was their ability to exploit weak bullpen of the latter at the right moment. While Braves struggled against the starter Kyle Kendrick and did not draw any runs from his throws, they pounced on their relief pitcher
Bastardo.
In little less than one inning, they drew five runs from his throws.
Their catcher Brian McCann stood out in the game. Driving in four runs, he struck a magnificent grand slam.
McCann stayed out for couple of games in the last week before entering on Friday. He will be pleased that he has returned to his best right away.
The Braves had a solid performance from their starter. Despite enduring pain in the left ankle, his control did not derail. He was scoreless in seven innings as he did not strike-out any batter, while being hit four times.
It was arguably his best outing so far in the season. The questions which were being raised on his fastballs will subside for a while.
"Today was probably the best I felt through this whole process," Hudson said. "I felt like my fastball, velocity wise, was pretty close to normal. I know for the last three or four starts, I didn't have a whole lot of confidence to really let it go."
Every defeat is making it clear that the Phillies are going to be a seller before the July 31 trade deadline. Even if they go on to deliver improved performance in the upcoming games, defending their last year Division Championship title will not be easy.
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