Thursday, August 1, 2013

Blown save and offensive collapse leads to Phils loss

August 1, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Zach Geibler


The Phillies went into Thursday night's game with the intentions of winning their first series since before the All-Star break. With many alumni to come and go throughout the weekend, the 2013 Phillies were trying to beat the San Francisco Giants. The Phillies lost 2-1.



Cole Hamels, the struggling ace took the mound, going against Matt Cain, another pitchers in the midst of a woeful 2013 campaign. The two pitchers, who homered against each other last year, were destined for a tight pitching duel tonight.

The game remained a scoreless contest for a while, including Matt Cain retiring the first 11 Phillies batters, before Chase Utley singled in the fourth inning.

In the following inning, Cole Hamels helped his own cause with an RBI single, scoring Laynce Nix.

The rest of the game was offensively deprived, as Cole Hamels and Matt Cain both pitched equally good games. Both pitchers went eight innings and only a run allowed by Matt Cain was the differentiating factor.

The Phillies only had six hits in the game, while the Giants produced seven going into the ninth inning.

Johnathan Papelbon took the mound to close out the game. He allowed base hits to both Hunter Pence and Brett Pill to start what was eventually his sixth blown save of the season. Rookie Roger Kieshnick hit a pinch-hit RBI single to tie the game, spoiling another win for Cole Hamels.

Soon after Joaquin Arias hit an RBI single to take the lead by one.

After loading the bases, Papelbon was able to get out of the jam with the help of his fielders.

The Phillies went into the bottom of the ninth inning having to face Giants closer Sergio Romo.

Romo had a shaky inning as well, loading the bases with walks and hit batters, but he was able to get out of the inning and record the save and end the ball game.

The win went to Cain, who is 7-6 on the year. Papelbon got the loss and moves to 2-1. Romo recorded his 25th save of the season.

With the loss, the Phillies continue there series losing streak, losing the last four series since returning from the All-Star Break. They start August off with a loss and will host the Braves for the upcoming weekend series, hoping to gain at least some ground back in the division.

(Photo from MLB.com)

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