Notes From The Phillies’ 8-0 Loss To Boston

The Philadelphia Phillies lost their first game of the regular season to the Boston Red Sox on Monday afternoon, falling 8-0.

On The Mound

• Disappointing Opening Day start for Cole Hamels, who lasted just five innings and allowed four runs on five hits. 
• Hamels allowed all of his runs on solo homers, and put the team down 1-0 in the first inning after just five pitches.
• Cole needed 100 pitched to get through five innings. He struck out six, and walked three.
• Luis Garcia allowed a walk, but pitched a scoreless sixth.
• Jeanmar Gomez allowed two hits in a scoreless seventh.
• Justin De Fratus hung a zero in the eighth.
• Jake Diekman was roughed up for four earned runs on two hits and two walks while managing just one out in the ninth. Diekman’s ERA is currently a whopping 108.
• Cesar Jimenez got the last two outs in the ninth.

At The Plate

• The Phillies were shut out, managing just three hits. 
• Carlos Ruiz, Grady Sizemore, and Ryan Howard supplied the team’s only hits.
• Ruiz had the best day of any Phillie at the plate, picking up a single and two walks.
• Howard’s lone hit went for a double.
• No other member of the lineup was able to work a walk.
• Ben Revere led off, going 0-4. Revere struggled in Spring Training, and those issues have carried over.
• Odubel Herrera was one of the team’s bright spots in the Spring, making the club as a Rule-5 pick, but also began his season with an 0-4.
• Chase Utley also turned in an 0-4 and struck out twice.
• Cody Asche and Freddy Galvis each went 0-3.

Final Thoughts

Good lord, welcome to the 2015 Phillies’ baseball season folks!

Aren’t we off to a cheery start?

How about this incredible lineup that Phillies’ village idiot General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has put together?

Not satisfied with the complete lack of power in his batting order from the last three seasons, Amaro made it a point to avoid looking into any significant upgrades for his outfield, standing pat with the likes of Ben Revere and Grady Sizemore, while complimenting their talents with Rule-5 pick Odubel Herrera, who may be equal to or slightly better than Revere at the plate.

Amaro also saw fit to commit to Freddy Galvis at shortstop without bringing in any kind of competition for the position. Galvis, who shockingly went 0-3 today, only received competition from Cesar Hernandez, who struggled to keeping his batting average in the .100’s during the Spring.

Amaro also predictably floundered around while trying to find a trade for ace Cole Hamels, who began his season with an impressing showing serving up four homers that will be sure to sway opposing teams to up their offers.

Fear not, for Amaro is well versed in how to effectively hold out for the best deal when attempting to deal a top pitcher from his experience with Cliff Lee, who he failed to trade away two years ago at the height of his value while holding out for a better deal.

Only 161 to go, folks.