This is an interesting team. They've gone from red hot to ice cold, turning a six-game winning streak into a three-game losing streak.
After dropping two of three to the Boston Red Sox, the Phils lost the series opener with Washington last night 2-1. They've lost three of four to the Nationals this season.
The Phils outhit the Nats 6-5, but went just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. They had several chances, but also made crucial mistakes. Placido Polanco had a particularly brutal game, despite going 2-for-4 with a walk.
Polly failed to tag-up on a Hunter Pence fly ball that should have resulted in a run. He was cut down at the plate on a grounder to first base and he made the final out of the game with two runners in scoring position.
Hunter Pence was 0-for-3 with seven runners left on base.
That basically was more than enough for them to lose the game. Your clean-up hitter can't leave that many runners on base, and your smart veteran player can't have mental lapses on the base-paths.
Kyle Kendrick was solid once again, but dropped to 0-4. He allowed two runs on five hits, two walk and four strikeouts over seven innings. The Phillies have scored a total of five runs in his five starts while he's been in the ballgame.
Gio Gonzalez dominated the Phillies' lineup once again, tossing six shutout innings with nine strikeouts.
Roy Halladay (4-3, 3.22) heads to the bump tonight, after finally picking up his first win in his last outing since winning his first three starts of the season. It's his first start against Washington this season, and he's 11-1 in his career against the Nats with a 2.28 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 110.2 innings.
Jordan Zimmermann (2-4, 2.58) opposes him. Zimmermann lost to the Phillies on May 6, allowing three runs over six innings. He's 0-3 in his career against the Phils with a 6.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 21 innings.
Jimmy Rollins is still away from the team on paternity leave, while Vance Worley returned to the team after visiting with renowned specialist Dr. James Andrews. Fortunately, he does not require Tommy John Surgery.
Tonight's lineup:
1. J. Pierre, LF
2. P, Polanco, 3B
3. S. Victorino, CF
4. H. Pence, RF
5. C. Ruiz, C
6. H. Luna, 1B
7. F. Galvis, SS
8. M. Fontenot, 2B
9. Halladay, P
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