Phillies Make Sure Hopes Completely Destroyed with Erik Kratz Injury

The Phillies put a sad trombone at the end of another blown series this weekend.

The three straight losses to a horrible Milawaukee team was one thing, but the injury to Erik Kratz was just not necessary.  It’s not like Kratz has been one of the team’s world-beaters, it’s that having him and Chooch gone requires the Phillies reach into the depths of their system and pull out a fourth string catcher.

In this case, it’s Steven Lerud.  Who is fine, but whose appearances at the Major League level seem to always be an indication that something has gone horribly wrong.

June 3, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Erik Kratz (31) singles during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

So, what’s wrong with Kratz?  While barreling down the first  base line on a play he had no chance of being safe on, Kratz did something to his knee that required a 15-day DL assignment and a flight back to Philly for an MRI.  Which puts the Phillies somewhere in the range of fourth place, if this were a division without two abysmal teams fighting over scraps in the basement like forgotten inbred offspring.

On the other side, in the daylight, the Nationals continue to flop around and give us reasons to think we’re actually a competitive team.  The trick this month was that the Phillies are playing nothing but bad teams, and can make up some ground as the Nats and Braves play the tough ones.  Later, when those roles are reversed, the task of climbing the standings will become much, much more difficult.

So basically, if we can’t win, or avoid injury now, then the future does not hold much respite.

Chooch will be back soon, I guess.  And we hope Kratz is okay.

Other than that, you just kind of have to sit there and enjoy Cliff Lee’s antics. At least he can look forward to being traded to a contender.