Philadelphia Phillies suffer 3-4 defeat against Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park - MLB
Relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon allows one run in the last inning and the Philadelphia Phillies are beaten 3-4 by the Los Angeles Dodgers, in first game of the four match series at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 4, 2012.
Vance Worley started for the Phillies, after coming off disabled list. With Roy Halladay out, Worley was being touted as a kind of pitcher who can easily neutralise the impact and can keep the Phillies’ quest steady.
However, on Monday, by giving up three runs in just four innings, he spelled a hard time for the Phillies to deal with.
Already the issues with the Phillies’ offence have not resolved and a decline in pitching department mean their progress will worsen before it can get any better.
Apart from the starter, relievers betrayed at a time when their contribution was needed the most.
With score tied and the Phillies h**l-bent to keep the Dodgers from scoring one run, Papelbon came in the ninth and gave up the run. It was no surprise then that he was accorded the loss, as opposed to Worley, who also leaked runs at the start.
Papelbon blamed plate umpire D.J. Reyburn for what happened to him in the game. Thinking that some throws were actually strike-outs and Reyburn judged them wrongly, he suggested that umpire will be better off being sent to the Minors for improvements.
"I just wanted to ask him if he could throw me out for what I was thinking," Papelbon said. "He was terrible all night. He probably needs to go back to Triple-A. If you don't do your job, you get demoted or fired. It affected the outcome of the game."
While the Phillies’ offence did show class in the game, during decisive moments, it fell to the pressure and remained short of blowing the lead in bottom of ninth.
Third baseman, Placido Polanco went 2-for-4 and added two RBIs. Right fielder Hunter Pence was hitless in four at-bats, giving an impression as if he is going through hibernation, following consistent performances earlier in the season.
As it was the first game of the series, Phillies by winning a couple of games can bounce back.
Since the relievers are a bigger problem, Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel will look to focus on this area and will make sure mistakes are not repeated frequently.
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