Notes From The Phillies’ 6-2 Loss To Boston

The Philadelphia Phillies lost the finale of their series with the Boston Red Sox 6-2. Their record drops to 1-2.

On The Mound

• David Buchanan had the best spring of any of the Phillies’ starters, and earned himself the third starter’s job. Unfortunately, Buchanan’s spring success did not carry over to his first start of the year. 
• Buchanan lasted just three innings, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks.
• Buchanan allowed all of his runs to score in the third inning. He struck out just one hitter.
• Dustin McGowan, who the Phils signed just before the season began, threw two scoreless innings and allowed just one walk.
• Justin De Fratus made his first appearance of the season in the sixth, and went on to toss two scoreless while striking out four.
• Luis Garcia pitched a scoreless eighth.
• Jake Diekman worked a scoreless ninth.

At The Plate

• The Phillies’ offense generated just two runs on five hits. 
• Ben Revere went 0-4 for the second time in three games. He’s just 1-12 on the season.
• Revere had an opportunity to hit with two men on in the third inning, but grounded out. He also had another chance with two men on in the seventh, but lined out.
• Carlos Ruiz went 0-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Ruiz has worked a walk in all three games.
• Chase Utley went 1-4 with a his first hit of the year. He knocked home a run in the third inning with an RBI-single.
• Ryan Howard turned in another 0-4 performance. He’s also 1-12.
• Darin Ruf got another start in left, and went 0-4 with two strikeouts.
• Cody Asche went 2-3 with a couple singles and worked a walk.
• Jeff Francoeur got another start in right, but went 0-4 with two strikeouts.
• Freddy Galvis went 2-4 and scored a run.

Final Thoughts

As soon as David Buchanan had his rough inning, any Phillies fan that has followed the team closely over the last three years knew what to expect.

Once the Phils were behind by a deficit of that caliber, it was already over. This offense barely has enough punch to produce five hits in a game, let alone recover from a hole larger than two or three runs.

This is the painful style of baseball that we’re going to be subjected to over the summer.

The Phillies finish their first series of the year losing two of three, and they could very easily have been swept if not for some excellent pitching performances from Aaron Harang and Jonathan Papelbon on Wednesday.