Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Pittsburgh Pirates
When the Phillies set out for their six-game road trip, I am sure they did not envision a situation that put them on a four-game losing streak and ten games under .500. However, that is where they find themselves as they head back to their home state to play the Pittsburgh Pirates for a weekend set.
The time away from the Washington Nationals felt like it would lead to positive outcomes. Then, the Phillies walked into a complete buzzsaw. The red-hot Texas Rangers just dominated the Phils for three straight days. The sweep puts the Phillies ten games under .500 and off to their worst start to this point since 2000.
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Nomar Mazara began the series on a five-game hit streak. He easily extended it to eight games over the last three days. He recorded five hits in eleven at-bats. He scored a run in all three games and drove in three runs as well. He hit a homer, doubled twice, and walked three times. The series helped the 22-year-old lefty raise his on-base percentage 24 points (.335), slugging percentage 37 points (.449), and his average 15 points (.265). Needless to say, the Phils did not have much luck holding him back.
Phils Grade: F
Yu Darvish was impossible to figure out on Tuesday night. The Phils were able to muster out four hits and two walks over Darvish’s seven innings. They even scratched a run across, but his nine strikeouts were too much for the Phillies to handle. He kept the offense completely off-balance using all six pitches in different counts and different locations. And above all else, I know a game is rough when my mild-mannered Father texts me to tell me how frustrated he is. That happened on Wednesday morning.
Phils Grade: D