Notes From The Phillies’ 3-2 Loss To Cincinnati

The Philadelphia Phillies lost their second straight game on Wednesday night, falling to the Reds 3-2. Their record drops to 0-2.

On The Mound

• Aaron Nola got the start, and pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits. Nola struck out eight and walked none.
• Nola allowed a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, but settled in to a great groove and didn’t allow a run over his final six frames of work.
• Pete Mackanin learned from his mistake in Monday’s loss, and didn’t pull Nola after six innings to turn a one-run lead over to a suspect bullpen.
• David Hernandez, despite failing to record an out in the season opener, was given another opportunity to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning. Hernandez struck out the first batter he faced, and was able to work a clean inning to earn his first hold of the season.
• Dailer Hinojosa got the call to close the game in the ninth inning. Hinojosa gave up a leadoff single, recorded an out, and gave up two more singles to load the bases. The untested closer then gave up a two-run single to blow the save and lose the game.

At The Plate

• The offense generated just two runs on five hits.
• Maikel Franco came up with his first home run of the season in the top of the first inning, a two-out, two-run shot to put the Phils up early.
• Cesar Hernandez hit out of the leadoff spot again, and went 0-3 with three strikeouts.
• A day after hitting a two-run homer, Freddy Galvis was bumped up to the two-hole, and went 1-4 with a double.
• Odubel Herrera hit third, and went 1-3 with a single and a walk.
• Darin Ruf got the start at first base, but went 0-3 with a walk.
• Cameron Rupp was the starting catcher, and went 1-4 with a double.
• Peter Bourjos got another start in right field, but went hitless in an 0-3 effort.
• Tyler Goeddel played left, going 0-2.
• Ryan Howard pinch-hit for Nola in the seventh inning, and picked up his first hit of the season with a single.

Final Thoughts

Once again, this looks like its going to be a team that will have a lot of problems scoring runs. The Phillies have a very empty lineup, with Maikel Franco being the only everyday starter that offers any kind of potent explosiveness.

The corner outfielders are just wretched. Guys like Peter Bourjos, Cedric Hunter, and Tyler Goeddel probably shouldn’t be on anyone’s major league roster, even as a spare-part fifth outfielder.

Starting pitching may have a chance to be a strength for this team, but it means very little without the offense or bullpen to support it.

This bullpen just looks like its going to wretched. Two games, two late meltdowns, two wasted gems from starting pitching.

On Monday, the goat was David Hernandez. Tonight it was the likes of Dailer Hinojosa.

The Phils have too much youth in their bullpen, and desperately need some kind of veteran presence. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Andrew Bailey or Edward Mujica with the team soon.