The Phillies lost 4-1 to the Mets on Wednesday, but the way they played it might as well have been 10-1. A team that was built on a devastating lineup has instead seen most of their marquee players continually let them down. As has been the case too often this year, the Phillies found another way to disappoint.
Aaron Nola pitched much better than his 6.0 innings, four earned runs box score indicates, as the only hitter who got to him was Mark Canha. Canha launched a two-run blast in the bottom of the third to put the Mets on top 2-1, and then took an extremely borderline two-strike pitch one inning later. Home plate umpire Chris Guccione seemed it a ball, and the at bat continued. Canha laced the next pitch into right field for a two-run single, doubling the Mets’ lead.
The Phillies actually held a lead early on, with Edmundo Sosa sneaking a line drive over the left field wall in the top of the third. Unfortunately, the Phils wouldn’t be able to scratch any more across, as they scattered nine hits and stranded ten men on base. It’s been an all-too-familiar story this season, as the Phillies have been utterly atrocious with men on base, in particular with runners in scoring position. The Phils continued to disappoint on Wednesday, as the Phils went an abysmal 0-7 with runners in scoring position.
This loss drops the Phils’ season-long record to 25-30, and the team finishes the month of May with an abysmal 10-16 mark. Many fans still hold out hope that this team can pull off another miracle run over the summer, but the level of play we’ve seen lately seems to belie that. It’s still far too early to write off this Phillies squad, but after watching them disappoint night after night it’s becoming harder and harder to defend them.