By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
A total of 15 runs in eight games isn’t going to add many wins to a team’s record.
While the Phillies offensive ineptness over the last month has been well documented, the results are even worse behind ace Roy Halladay. Doc has lost six of his last eight starts thanks mostly to a lineup that’s given him just 1.875 runs per game.
Roy Halladay was the tough-luck loser once again on Sunday. The Phils bats have given him just 15 runs of support in his last eight starts.
For his part, Halladay has given up more than two earned runs just five times in that span. The man at the top of the rotation only allowed three earned runs against the Twins on Sunday. He lost a 2-1 game to the Pirates on May 18 in which he tossed a complete game. He also lost a 2-0 decision to the Marlins June 10.
Doc Halladay is doing his job.
The Phillies batters must do their jobs. They have to do more to support their ace. It’s too early in the season to put the team on No. 34′s back.
Holidays are traditionally days off from work, but Halladays can’t be that for the Phils hitters.
Maybe the team feels Halladay is so good he doesn’t need as much run support. As a result, maybe they’re not as aggressive or have a more laid back attitude at the plate. Either way, it must stop. Yesterday!
This team is going to be in a close pennant race nobody could have imagined a month ago. They can not afford to continue wasting outings by Doc Halladay. If they do, then the Phils don’t deserve to defend their NL pennant in October.
