Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon couldn’t have been more impressed with how fundamentally sound the Phillies played Wednesday in Game 1 of the World Series.
Those same fundamentally sound Phillies vanished in Game 2.
The Phillies couldn’t hit, run, throw or catch in a 4-2 loss to the Rays tonight at Tropicana Field to even the best-of-seven series, which continues Saturday night with Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park. There is little question that if the Phillies continue to play like this, they won’t stand much of a chance against the Rays.
They’ve got to start hitting more than anything else.
The Phillies were 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position in Game 1, setting a World Series record for futility. They were 1 for 15 with RISP in Game 2 to make them 1 for 28 (.036) in the series.
In fact, the Phillies were 0 for 19 until Shane Victorino’s infield single in the top of the fourth inning.
Elias Sports Bureau reported that it was the second-longest hitless streak with RISP in World Series history. The Los Angeles Dodgers went 0 for 22 in the entire 1966 World Series with the Baltimore Orioles sweeping the Dodgers, who scored just two runs against them.
But Victorino’s single didn’t even score a run. It only moved Ryan Howard from second base to third base.
The Phillies, who scored their first run in the eighth when Eric Bruntlett hit a pinch-hit solo homer to left field, had said their six-day layoff between the National League Championship Series and World Series wouldn’t affect them at the plate.
But it certainly seems to be the best explanation for their struggles.
Of course, there was more to this game than just hitting. It had a sloppy feel from the start when Jayson Werth’s error in right led to an unearned run in the first as the Rays took a 2-0 lead. Werth also was doubled up at first base in the fifth when Chase Utley hit a fly ball to shallow right field.
Carlos Ruiz’ throwing error in the bottom of the fifth didn’t lead to a run, but it added to the night’s events.
Brett Myers allowed four runs (three earned) in seven innings, but the Rays didn’t beat his brains in.
They took a 2-0 lead in the first with help from Werth’s error and a couple of ground outs. Myers allowed another run in the second and a run in the fourth as the Rays took a 4-0 lead when Jason Bartlett’s bunt up the first base line scored Cliff Floyd on a safety squeeze.
But it was enough.
Against the Phillies, a few runs is plenty as the team continues to struggle at the plate.
written by Roc
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