For the second game in a row the Phillies have been shut out at home.
It's now a crisis. This marks the first time since 1999 that they've been shut out in two straight games.
1999. They didn't even manage to pull off a feat like this during the Bowa era.
Our good ole friend Les Walrond did it again, by giving up the only two runs of the game and earning the Phillies a loss.
While Walrond shouldn't deserve most of the blame because this offense is an absolute abomination, he shouldn't be in the majors either, and is a consequence of the mindset of this organization.
If the Phillies had an effective Minor League scouting system like say the Marlins then you wouldn't see a Les Walrond being thrown to the wolves in the heat of a pennant race. Added to that, the ownership wouldn't be forced to skimp on salaries of pitchers and bench players if they could constantly bring in new, young talent.
With that said, this team is in a tailspin. They may be in first place, but it's only because the teams behind them are mediocre. The Phillies are not a good team right now. And, you can point to a few reasons. One of them is Jimmy Rollins. Another is Aaron Rowand.
Rollins isn't playing at 60% of the level he was at last year. Also, I can't fault them for not signing Rowand to that ridiculous $12 million annual salary, but it should have never gotten that far. He should have been extended back in 2006.
End of story.
Utley and Howard deserve much of the blame too. They have overall good numbers, but they are chronically inconsistent and put up numbers in bunches. And, when your best players do that, you see erratic play or in the case of the past two days, you witness some brutal baseball.
Brett Myers will take on Ian Snell tonight at 7:05.
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