June 22, 2013
By Mike Patterson
The Phillies lost their second in a row against the Mets after the New York returned from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Phils 4-3.
The Phillies were hoping to get their bats going early, but that did not happen. Rollins started out the inning struck out by Mets’ starter, Jeremy Hefner.
Then, Chase Utley, who returned after 28 days on the DL, hoped to catalyze the offense, but he grounded out before going 0-5 in the game. Michael Young grounded out to end the inning.
The Phils showed some signs of life in the second. Ryan Howard started the half-inning with a double to deep center.
Then, Dominic Brown (of course) came through with a big hit, doubling to right bringing in Howard to take a 1-0 lead.
Delmon Young continued the streak with a single, advancing Brown to third. Ben Revere was due up next, and he reached first on a fielder’s choice, Brown scoring in the process.
Carlos Ruiz hit a single and Revere advanced to second. Hamels hit a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners.
Jimmy Rollins reached first on a fielding error, scoring Revere to take a 3-0 lead. However, Utley could not keep the streak alive, striking out to end the inning.
Cole Hamels started the game for the Phillies. He started out strong, pitching a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first. He did not allow any hits until the 4th inning, giving up an RBI single to David Wright. Hamels gave up two runs on a single hit by Eric Young in the 5th and one more run on a deep double by Juan Lagares in the 6th.
Justin De Fratus relieved Hamels in the top of the seventh, and he kept the Mets scoreless, giving up only two hits. The Phils could not seem to make up their mind as for who to pitch. Jacob Diekman pitched in the eighth and Michael Stutes in the ninth.
Bobby Parnell effectively closed out the game and shut down the Phils. He earned his 12th save of the season out of 15 tries.
This game has only been one more disappointing outing for the Phillies’ ace. Hamels is now 2-11 for the season. He had this to say about his recent performances, “It’s been a bad case of not keeping the team in games.”
Charlie Manuel spoke of Hamels, “He wasn't real sharp, I've seen him better. He got hurt with two-out hits.” However, Hamels is not the team’s only issue, for he has not been receiving the run support needed to win games.
The Phillies are now four games under .500, but they remain four games ahead of the Mets in the NL East.
Dillon Gee (5-7) will face Jonathan Pettibone (3-3) in game two of the series on Saturday.
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