Phillies' Fall From Grace: Looking Up at Braves is Hopefully Wake-up Call

My Fellow Phans,

Let’s face it. We kind of assumed this was going to happen before this slide was over, but Phillies fans has hoped that they would snap out of it before this day. With yesterday’s 9-3 smacking at the hands of the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies fell out of first place in the National League East.

Even though we scored 3 runs yesterday, it is did not appear as if the Phillies were making progress to break out of this slump.  Remember we scored 3 runs on Friday too only to go back to back games without scoring an earned run. Our big guns still aren’t producing.

Who produced runs in yesterday’s game? Well it was the only two players with somewhat respectable batting averages during this recent slide: Wilson Valdez and Carlos Ruiz. My buddy Ben Francisco even knocked in a run. See what happens when you listen to me and give the man some playing time? I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t get a good feeling when we got those 3 runs and cut the lead in half. However, Troy Glaus ended all chance of a comeback with that 3 run bomb he hit the bottom half of that very inning.

Blanton looked shaky in that first inning, but pretty solid the rest of the way. However, the Phillies lack of defense in the game made me want to kick something. At least 3 runs, maybe more, were given to the Braves on dropped balls in the outfield and boneheaded plays on ground balls right to you. We cannot afford to have our defense go the way of our offense right now or Phillies fans will be in for some longer nights then they already have had to deal with. I have no idea where Charlie or anyone got the idea that Ross Gload could play the outfield, but after seeing him out there in two separate games making two serious miscues, I am starting to see why he has been a career pinch hitter. It goes back to my whole idea of giving Ben Francisco some playing time in the outfield; at least he can catch.

The most entertaining part of the whole game: Charlie Manuel’s ejection. It’s about time he let his frustration out on somebody.

So, for the first time in awhile, the Phillies wake up looking up at another National League East opponent. Could this be the wakeup call that they have needed? I honestly do not know right now. There is no telling when this team will finally break out of this PPP (Period of Pathetic Play). I think I speak for the whole Phillies Fans Nation when I say, the sooner the better.

Until we meet again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!!