The Phillies had Friday's night game against the Padres under control. Several times. They lead 5-0 after one inning (88.8% Win Expectancy), and 7-1 after four innings (96.1% WE), with ace Cole Hamels on the mound. The Phils had a 7-5 lead after seven (86.0% WE), with Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge rested, and ready to close out the game. But Madson (-.546 WPA) turned the 7-5 advantage into an 8-7 deficit, a deficit from which the Phillies could not recover. The come-from-ahead loss on Harry Kalas Tribute Night dropped the Phils to 4-5.
The night started very well for the Phillies. The team paid tribute to Kalas in a variety of ways. Kalas' autograph was displayed on the field, which has reduced the collectible value of the field, but looks splendid. Kalas' three sons threw out the first pitches, to John Kruk, Mike Schmidt, and Jimmy Rollins, respectively. Schmidt looked like he could be the right-handed bat the club has been looking to acquire. After a moment of silence, Kane Kalas sang the National Anthem, holding the note on the word "free" longer than a typical Scott Eyre appearance. During the anthem, Jimmy Rollins (white loafers) and Chase Utley (blue sportcoat) held some of Kalas' signature apparel. There was no commentary during the top of the first inning, marking the finest performance of Phillies analyst Chris Wheeler's career. Kalas favorite Chase Utley blasted a three-run homer in the bottom of the first, and the Phils jumped to a 5-0 lead after an inning.
Cole Hamels, though his command and velocity were improved from his putrid 2009 debut, surrendered five runs (including three home runs) over six innings. Philadelphia has allowed a universe-leading twenty-three homers this season. Raul Ibanez (3 for 3, triple, two walks, .162 WPA), Chris Coste (2 for 4, two doubles, .90 WPA), and Pedro Feliz (2 for 3, one walk, .38 WPA) lead a fourteen-hit attack, but the Phillies' strong offense failed to outpace their poor pitching. San Diego #2 starter/basketball center Chris Young was roughed up, allowing seven runs, on nine hits and two walks, in three and two-thirds innings. The Padres bullpen, however, held the Phils scoreless on four hits, with closer Heath Bell picking up his sixth save.
The Phillies have spent most of the season coming back from early deficits, but they couldn't hold on tonight, when they finally had an early lead of their own. The Phillies haven't looked anything like the WFC so far. The emotional effects of the past two weeks' events may be a factor, but the Phils need to start picking up some wins now, as their schedule only gets harder.
Brett Myers faces the Padres' Shawn Hill on Saturday night at CBP, as Myers attempts to get the Phils back to .500, as well as to increase the value of his free agent contract.
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