Philly Sports Today

Being a Phillies fan is arguably the most frustrating activity that a person can take part in. Every time they look like they’re going to turn the corner and make a move, they find new ways to mess things up. After having an awful road trip two weeks ago in which the Phillies seemingly forgot to pack their bats as they lost four games to the Dodgers before “winning” two out of three from the Padres (Note: The Phillies didn’t actually show up in San Diego either, they just got lucky that the Padres are a team that actually has more flaws than they do), the Phightins offense returned in their series against the Nationals. When the Dodgers came into town, the Phillies beat L.A.’s finest like they owed them money, outscoring Joe Torre’s crew 27-5 in the four game set.

The stars seemed to be aligned for the MEGA two game series against the hated New York Mets. Well, at least for 24 hours or so. After spotting the Mets a 7-0 lead through 4 innings, the Phils chipped away here and there while the bullpen was absolutely phenomenal on their way to a ridonkulous 13-inning 8-7 victory that put the Phillies in first place by a half a game. Things were fine and dandy in the second game of the series for the first 7 innings as Kyle Kendrick and Scott Eyre shockingly outpitched Johan “Cha-Ching” Santana. However, in the eighth inning, the Mets took a play out of the 2007 Phillies playbook with a four-spot that sucked the life out of Citizens Bank Park and the Phillies players. Last season, it was the Phillies delivering those devastating blows to the Mets. This year, the roles are completely reversed. Some Phillies fans may say, “The Phillies still win games late. They’ve even done it against the Mets a few times this year.” While that may be true, the Phils still don’t seem to have that fire that they had last year where you could watch them and you knew that there was absolutely no way that they wouldn’t find a way to rally.

When I watch the 2008 version, which is essentially the 2007 version with no leadership, less heart, and “Light Out” Brad Lidge, the main thing I think about is “how will they find a way to screw up tonight?” The first two games of the Cubs series are prime examples of why this team, as currently constructed, WILL NOT return to the playoffs. Cole “Please don’t leave in Free Agency when your arbitration runs out” Hamels was his usual brilliant self on the mound for 7 innings and the Phils were in prime position to take game one and avoid spiraling into another losing skid. However, Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin didn’t get the memo that giving up five runs in the 8th inning, including a freakin’ Grand Slam to Aramis Ramirez, when your team is leading 4-1 usually does not produce many wins. If that wasn’t bad enough, in today’s game, former Cub Scott Eyre walked in the tying run in the sixth inning before Clay “Uncle Charlie continues to use me in close games even though I have yet to prove that I am reliable in tight games” Condrey decided that he didn’t feel like winning today as he served up a meatball to Alfonso Soriano. Thanks for another fabulous game by the collection of scrubby relief pitchers that masquerade around as the Phillies bullpen! I’m really glad I wasted another three hours of my life.

The sickening part is that each of the last three losses were extremely winnable games. Last year, the Phillies broke the hearts of fans in cities across the country with their late-inning heroics on their way to an NL East title. Unfortunately, the only hearts the Phillies are breaking this year of those of their own fans.

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