The Phillies were in good position to sweep the rain-shortened series with the Nationals. They had Joe Blanton on the mound, with his grand total of zero regular-season losses as a Phillie. The Nationals had Shairon Martis starting, with his lifetime FIP of 5.79, and an ERA of 9.00 in one 2009 start. The Phillies had won three straight, while the Nationals (0-7) hadn't won since before the Phillies became WFC. Philadelphia, after two consecutive days off, had a rested, capable bullpen. Washington had a rested bullpen full of household names, such as Hinckley, Shell, and Ledezma. Naturally, the Phillies lost 8-2, dropping their record back to .500 (4-4).
Blanton started brilliantly, retiring the first batter he faced on a groundout. But he couldn't maintain that high level of performance, allowing two singles and a homer (Adam Dunn) to the next three batters. Joe the Lumber continued the 2009 Phillies' tradition of early deficits and generosity with the long ball. Blanton did manage to get through six innings without allowing any additional runs, but he permitted eight hits and a walk, in an uneven outing against a weak lineup. On the plus side, Blanton became the first Phillie to record a "quality start" in 2009. On the minus side, "quality" is defined here as "a level of performance that Julio Santana would be capable of replicating", and Blanton's ERA for the season is now at 9.00.
As play entered the eighth, the Phillies only trailed 4-2, and still had a (14%) chance at the win. Joe Beimel, signed by the Nats in mid-March for $2 million (one year), retired the Phillies in order. Jack Taschner, the 850K reliever acquired by the Phillies for Ronny Paulino (on March 28th), put the game away for the Nats. Taschner allowed four runs on four hits (two HR) and two walks, turning a 4-2 deficit into an 8-2 deficit. Taschner had pitched three scoreless innings in 2009, but he reverted to his 2006 (5.68 FIP), 2007 (4.04), and 2008 form (4.49). Choosing to bring in Taschner over Ryan Madson (or Clay Condrey?) might have been the wrong move tonight. Acquiring Taschner over signing Beimel in March was almost definitely the wrong move.
The Phillies offense was lead by Raul Ibanez (two hits) and Lou Marson (two hits). Chase Utley went 1 for 3, and...that's it. Literally. No one else got a hit. Nineteen at bats, zero hits for the other dudes. The offense really needs to do better than that, especially against the likes of the Washington Nationals. But these types of games will happen over the long season. We'll ignore all those negative WPAs in tonight's box score, and go get 'em tomorrow.
Cole Hamels will face Chris Young (1.94 FIP) and the surprising (7-3) San Diego Padres Friday night. Numerous Harry Kalas tributes are planned, in what should be a memorable occasion. Hopefully, Hamels and the Phillies can come up with a victory on Harry's Night.
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