This is what manager Gabe Kapler told reporters after last night's walk-off loss to the Nationals, the Phillies fourth loss in a row. Kapler is either a liar or delusional. Since sweeping the Marlins over the first weekend in August, the Phillies are 5-10 and have seen a 2-game lead in the National League East evaporate into a 3-game deficit. That seems like a perfectly good reason to be worried.
The Phillies had chances to win both games on Tuesday and Wednesday night. On Tuesday, they trailed the Nats 6-4 in the top of the 7th. But with runners on first and second and 1 out, Rhys Hoskins struck out and Asdrubal Cabrera grounded out. The next inning, they had the bases loaded with 2 out but Roman Quinn struck out.
Last night, leading 7-6 in the top of the 9th, they had the bases loaded with 1 out. But Cabrera popped out and Justin Bour struck out. Seranthony Dominguez got the first 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th, but gave up a double and a walkoff homer.
In this dreadful 15 game stretch, the Phils are just 24-108 with runners in scoring position, a .222 batting average. That's about as un-clutch as you can be.
They'll try to end the losing streak this afternoon. The good news is that staff ace Aaron Nola is pitching. The bad news is the Phils will be facing Max Scherzer. In his last 7 starts, Scherzer is 5-0 with a 1.53 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 47 innings. He got a no-decision in his only start against the Phils this season, but struck out 15 in 6.1 innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 run.
Scherzer has faced the Phillies 13 times as a National. The Nats are 12-1 in those games. Ouch.
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