Welcome to our baseball hell.
Seriously.
Just when you think this team can't possibly look any less focused or fundamentally prepared. Just when you think this team couldn't play with less urgency. Just when you think this team has reached rock bottom.
They find a way to sink a little bit lower.
But wait! There's more!
How about some of those late ABs with RISP?
We have Carlos Gonzalez trying to pull everything 25 rows up the RF bleachers. That's actually a positive, because if you recall in Cincinnati he was trying to pull everything over the Ohio River. So at least he's toned it down a little bit. The results still suck, but the swing is closer to normal.
On the other end of the spectrum... What was Ryan Spilborghs looking for? He's challenging you! Fight back! Swing even.
We have guys overswinging with the bases loaded. We have guys up there taking two pitches right down the middle with the bases loaded. And then we have Ian Stewart coming up with the bases loaded, two outs in the 9th, and he does a liittle bit of both.
What the hell is going on?
How does Don Baylor continue to steal money while our hitters regress or flatline?
Today's Silver Lining
Real nice job by Jeff Francis.
Maybe not the length you'd hope for out of a starting pitcher, but he limited his damage against a very good lineup and obviously kept his team in the game. As always the key was avoiding the extra traffic with walks. The only walk he did issue was intentional, which helped get him through a tough 4th inning jam.
He was aggressive. He pitched inside and without fear of contact. He made the Phillies string enough hits together to score their runs. That's not something we saw during his rough three game stretch prior to the all-star break. This is the type of pitcher Francis needs to be if he hopes to contribute the final two months of the season.
I would give his start a solid B.
Tomorrow
Do we have to?