Morning Phil Up – 4/7/2014 – Phillies Can’t Finish Off Sweep Against The Cubs
Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday’s Recap
When A.J. Burnett strolled out to the mound yesterday afternoon, he couldn’t have imagined that he would need a GPS to locate home plate. Burnett’s first inning wildness put the Phillies behind the eight ball early as the Cubs salvaged the final game of the series, 8-3.
Burnett was uncharacteristically wild in the first inning. He walked three batters and surrendered an RBI triple to Ryan Kalish and an RBI double to Starlin Castro. Add in, a couple of sacrifice flies and the Phillies are down 4-0 after an inning.
The Phillies rallied in the fifth inning. Ben Revere and Jimmy Rollins led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Chase Utley followed with a liner back up the middle that was deflected by Cubs’ starter Carlos Villanueva. The ball deflected to Castro who threw Utley out at first. Or did he? Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg came out to challenge the call – which was eventually upheld. The rally was squelched when Ryan Howard lined into a double play.
Innings two through five were vintage Burnett – ground ball after ground ball. The Cubs scored four more (unearned) runs in the sixth inning off Burnett. The floodgates opened when Revere misplayed a liner by Ryan Sweeney into a three-base error.
The Phillies’ fate was sealed.
Tuesday’s Preview
Brewers (4-2) @ Phillies (3-3)
Starting Pitchers
MIL: Kyle Lohse, RHP (0-1, 3.86 ERA)
PHI: Kyle Kendrick, RHP (0-0, 1.29 ERA)
Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA) 4:05 PM ET
The home opener is always a special days for baseball fans. This year, Phillies fans will have to wait an extra day to enjoy the festivities. The Phillies have postponed Monday’s game due to the threat of heavy rain. The game will be played on Tuesday at 4:05 PM.
Kendrick is coming off a solid outing in Texas last Wednesday. He pitched seven innings of one-run ball in what turned out to be a 4-3 loss. Lohse’s first start of the season was last Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves. He surrendered three runs in seven innings in a 5-2 loss.
The Phillies will be celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of Citizens Bank Park in 2014.
Notes
– The first game at Citizens Bank Park was April 12, 2004. The Reds defeated the Phillies, 4-1. Randy Wolf took the loss. Bobby Abreu homered.
– The Phillies are 3-7 in home openers at Citizens Bank Park.
– The Phillies have not won a home opener since 2011.
– Chase Utley reached base three more times on Sunday. He has a .536 OBP this season.
– Brad Lincoln appeared in his first game of the season. He pitched 1/3 inning.