Protecting leads has gone from one of the Phillies’ greatest strengths to their biggest weakness since the All-Star break and the ominous trend continued Saturday in a 6-5, walk-off loss that was once a 5-0 advantage.
The Phils scored four times in the fifth inning, all with two outs, to build what looked like a safe lead in one of their most promising nights of the last two weeks. But no lead is safe right now.
Jeff Hoffman had his worst outing as a Phillie — appearing as early in a game as he had since April 1 — and Carlos Estevez walked in the winning run in extras.
Hoffman entered in the sixth inning because the Mariners had their 2-3-4 hitters due up and Phillies manager Rob Thomson again feels comfortable using him in earlier high-leverage situations with Estevez aboard. Everything was off for Hoffman in this one as he allowed four runs and six baserunners in an inning to even the score.
The Phils haven’t hit much since the All-Star break, and when they have, the pitching staff has faltered. Over their last 13 games, the Phillies have blown six leads of at least three runs, which is more than they blew in their first 71 games of the season.
It’s hit every member of the ‘pen, from Hoffman to Jose Alvarado to Matt Strahm to Orion Kerkering to Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto, who have since been traded and upgraded to Estevez and Tanner Banks.
Be the first to comment