On four other occassions this season the Phillies offense has been completely shut down in a day game that follows a previous night contest.  This one was no exception as young Marlins hurler Chris Volstad limited the Fightins to just three hits thru six impressive innings.  Volstad had a no-hitter thru four frames.  The 21year old displayed a nasty hook to go along with a mid to low nineties fast ball.

Florida scored single runs in the second, sixth and seventh innings with center fielder Cody Ross touching home twice.  Hard luck lefty Cole Hamels did not actually pitch badly as he went six and one third innings with seven strikeouts.  He was tagged with three runs, two earned on seven hits.  Can’t win if your team doesn’t score ! 

The Phillies were limited to four hits total  in the game.  Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth to earn his 25th save of the year.   Not much excitement in this one as it was a sleepwalk, I actually fell asleep watching it!  The Mets beat the Padres so both the Marlins and Mets gained ground on the Phils.  Phillies have to find a way to win the head to head games against these two.  They are 4 and 9 against the Mets with five remaining and 5 and 7 vs the Fish with 6 remaining.  Throw in 8 against Manny and the Dodgers and it is clear if the Fightins are going to win the division they must beat quality opponents, can’t live on the laurels of the 15 remaining games against the Nats and Braves!

Chatter

During the game the team announced they had acquired left handed reliever Scott Eyre from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a class A minor leaguer.  Eyre hopefully will take some innings away from the main relief corps allowing Charlie to rest his crew between appearances.   My son in law was in attendance at the game, not sure he has ever been there when the Fightins have won,  will have to ask him, if not will suggest he stay away from the park! 

Phillies open a three game set against Pittsburgh on friday, have to take the series, a sweep would be sweet!  Juan Samuel will be added to Phillies Wall of Fame prior to friday’s game.   Samuel played for the team from 1983 to 1989 and was eventually traded to the Mets for Lenny Dykstra who became a key member of the 1993 N.L. championship team.  Sammy was fun to watch as he had all the tools but he also frustrated us fans as he seemed unable to lay off the low outside curves or sliders!  He could run like the wind and I remember many first to thirds and triples back in the day.