Ryan Madson's blown save in the 9th led to a five-run bloodletting of Clay Condrey and Tyler Walker in the 10th, as the Phillies fell to the Blue Jays in an uninspired 8-3 opener.
Toronto set themselves up to score all night, but squandered almost every opportunity until their final at bats. Lucky to be leading 3-2 when they handed the ball to Madson in the ninth, the Phillies' luck quickly ran out, starting with a swinging bunt and ending with a bases loaded walk to tie it. Mad Dog managed to escape the jam with just one run, but then Condrey came on for what proved to be his worst outing of the season. Walker, making his Phillies' debut, allowed all his inherited runners to score. Larry Andersen, working the radio broadcast, complained about home plate umpire Eric Cooper's strike zone the entire night; Cooper charged Phillies' pitchers with 10 bases on balls. Offensively, the Phils pieced together few positives.
Not much to disagree with here.
Every Day Clay, Except Today.
Romero for Cy Young.
Posted by: Hugh Mulcahy | Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 11:59 PM
All I can really add is; saw it coming, no...heard it coming like an apache hears the distant rumble of the Union Cavalry.
All I can say is; ahem..don't let that happen in August or September. Thanx.
Posted by: bigmyc | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 12:01 AM
bigmyc, it's not like the games don't count as much in June. These failures at the end of games are going to come back to haunt us, just like they haunted the Mets last year.
When the Mets are trotting out a AAA lineup everyday and we're having trouble staying even with them, we have serious issues when players begin to come back.
Posted by: Knight | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 12:17 AM
At the risk of being called "negative," I just noticed that Raul Ibanez is hitting .220 in his last 50 ABs and has 9 strikeouts in his last 4 games. Considering that he has been single-handedly carrying the team up to this point, and considering the extraordinarily slim likelihood that he can remain anywhere near his current pace, I'd say that's a disturbing development. Someone else is going to have to step up very soon.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Well, BAP, Utley already has stepped it up. He's batting .368/.486/.667 this month. And sooner or later Howard will get hot.
Posted by: Tray | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 03:02 AM
Tray: Howard will get hot. Until a LHP comes in the game. =/
Posted by: kart racer | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 07:14 AM
Thank god games in June don't count. Otherwise I'd be pissed.
Looks like rain tonight...fvck.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 07:20 AM
Nice use of alliteration J.
Posted by: Rex | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 07:28 AM
Is it time to start thinking about a RH bat to play first occasionally against LHP ?
Posted by: Billy Mac | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Yo, new thread
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 07:59 AM
Jay's may have gotten 10 walks, but Phillies only obtained 3. they need to be able to play some small ball in games like this, instead of waiting for a homer.
Posted by: Ed Bassett | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 08:09 AM