Sunday: Phillies unable to overcome Giants' Cain

Led by hard-throwing right-hander Matt Cain, the Phillies were held to just three hits in falling to the Giants 3-2 in 10 innings.

Cain, who busted Phillies’ hitters with hard fastballs inside, allowed a pair home runs, but struck out a season-high eight batters in 7-plus innings. He would not factor in the decision. Brett Myers, meanwhile, fanned a season-high 10, hitting low-90s on his fastball, but fell behind frequently and walked three. He left after seven innings after throwing 121 pitches. The Giants eventually got to Rudy Seanez to break the 2-2 tie. Chase Utley and Geoff Jenkins supplied the Phillies’ runs with solo homers. Ryan Howard was among those held hitless, going 0-4 with three strikeouts, dropping his average to .170.

Utley named Player of the Month: Considered an MVP front-runner before the season even began, the All-Star second baseman helped his cause in April, hitting .360 (40-111) with 10 doubles, a triple, 11 home runs, 23 RBIs and 25 runs scored. His 11 home runs, 85 total bases and .766 slugging percentage all led the National League. Utley homered in five consecutive games from April 17th-21st, tying a Phillies record. Chipper Jones, Nate McLouth, Rafael Furcal and teammate Pat Burrell all received votes.

Internally, left-hander Antonio Bastardo of the Clearwater Threshers and outfielder Michael Taylor of the Lakewood BlueClaws earned April Pitcher and Player of the Month awards in the Phillies’ farm system.

Comments

[GM-Carson]

From previous thread-
All this talk about Ryan Howard warming up when the weather warms up is kind of funny. I would understand that logic if he made contact, but warmer weather doesn't mean his bat will magically meet the ball all of a sudden. Bottom line, Howard needs to make more contact then the hits will come, until then 115 degree Arizona heat won't cure his woes.

[Bill]

Howard's strikeouts are more of a concern this year than they were last year when he set a major league record for them. You are right about him making contact but it is more of him getting comfortable at the plate. He just does not look like he is seeing the ball at all. He is pulling his body, and thus his head out on pitches.

The bottom line is we need him to heat up and carry the team for a while. That will keep us in first place!

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[Jeltz for the Hall]

Being player of the month has its privileges; Utley won a 52" Sharp Aquos Hi-Def TV along with the award. Yep, being Chase Utley doesn't suck.

[Brian Guenther]

Stat of the day: Cole Hamels ERA in non-8th inning innings... 1.47.

He's good.

[AWH the RBP]

CArson, think of the pressure Howard must be putting on himself.

Rumor has it he's seeking ARod type money of $20MM+.

If he keeps this up he may even have to take a pay cut in arbitration next year (scsm).

Regardless, as one who advocated signing him to a long-term deal (and I love the player) I must confess that up to this point I have been horribly wrong.

Ken Rosenthal had it right about a month ago:

There is absolutely NO reason for the Phillies to give Ryan Howard a long-term deal. If he's prone to these kinds of slumps then it makes no sense whatsoever.

[curt]

Burrell proved last year that you can be awful for 2 entire months, and still get it together.

Not saying Howard can do likewise, but it's possible. Given how bad the lineup is, he might as well stay in there on the chance that a ball hits his bat.

[curt]

Today is going to be nasty. I look for 1 run at best from our guys - probably a jack, and 2 for SF. Poor Cole, again.

[Sophist]

Even if he weren't slumping, the reasons to take it year-by-year trumps those to do a long-term deal.

[Carol (about 8:45 am today)]

Bryan Howard blah blah blah

[phargo]

There must be a typo in my local paper today. It says Ryan Howard had 4 at bats last night, with no hits.