Bullpen throws away comeback in 12-6 loss

August 9, 2012

Box Score (Courtesy of ESPN.com)

CSNphilly.com

The Phillies found themselves down 6-1 by the end of the fourth inning on Wednesday night, but they did not call it a night just yet.


In the bottom of the fifth with Kevin Frandsen on first from a single, Jimmy Rollins doubled into right. Frandsen came around to score on the play to cut the Braves' lead to four.

Dominic Brown doubled in the next at-bat, Rollins scored, and it was a 6-3 game.

Chase Utley reached first after he was hit by a pitch by Tim Hudson. Then Ryan Howard made Hudson pay in the following at-bat.

Howard (6) hit a three-run homer to tie the game up at six.

Hudson only lasted four and a third innings for the Braves, allowing six earned runs off of six hits.

Kyle Kendrick did not have a good outing for the Phils either, also allowing six earned runs in three and a third innings.

One of the Phillies glaring flaws ove the season has been their bullpen, and it was the bullpen that, once again, cost them the game.

Antonio Bastardo came in to pitch in the seventh.

Bastardo got the first two outs with no problem, striking out Michael Bourn then getting Martin Prado to ground out. It was the third out that was a problem.

Bastardo gave up a double to Json Heyward, then after intentionally walking Chipper Jones, he walked Freddie Freeman to load the bases.

Manager Charlie Maunel decided to take Bastardo out of the game, and sent in Josh Lindblom to get the Phillies out of the inning.

Unfortunately, the move did not pay off.

Dan Uggla hit a bases clearing double, then David Ross reached first on a throwing error by Frandsen.

The Braves scored two more runs off Lindblom in the eighth to win 12-6.

Bastardo (2-4), who has been very inconsistent this year, got charged with loss.

Raul Valdes, Michael Schwimer, and Jeremy Horst all made scoreless relief appearances for the Phillies.

Luis Avilan, Cory Gearrin, Chad Durbin, Jonny Venters, Eric O'Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel also  made scoreless relief appearances for Atlanta. Chad Durbin (4-1) got the win.

Jimmy Rollins (13) hit a leadoff home run in the first.

The Phillies will continue their home stand on Friday night.

They will open up a three game series against their 2011 NLDS opponent, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Roy Halladay (5-6, 4.02 ERA) will get the start against Kyle Loshe (12-2, 2.79 ERA) in a rematch that carries far less signifigance than it did last October.