The Phillies offensive struggles continued in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series as they were able to muster only 3 hits in a 3-0 loss to the Giants. It was the first time since Game 5 of the 1983 World Series that the Phillies have been shutout in a postseason contest. With the loss the team falls into a 2-1 series hole and will look to rebound in Game 4.
The team was only able to manage two softly hit singles off of Giants starter Matt Cain during his 7 innings of work. Philadelphia is now batting just .203 for the postseason and is just 18 for 93 (.194) during the first three games of the NLCS. The Phillies 0 for 5 effort with runners in scoring position brought their series total to a paltry 2 for 19.
Giants pitcher Matt Cain earned his victory career victory against the Phillies. Coming into the game Cain was 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA in 5 career starts against the Phils. While the Phillies have had success against Cain in the past, they were unable to come up a big hit as Cain showed why he led Major League Baseball with a .194 batting average against with runners in scoring position.
“I don’t know why we’re not hitting,” Center Fielder Shane Victorino said. “If I could put my finger on it, I would have days ago.”
“When you don’t score runs or get hits, it’s hard to win the game,” said manager Charlie Manager after his teams frustrating Game 3 performance. “I don’t know what we’re going to do about it. I can sit here and talk about it. I can go in and talk to them about it, but when the game starts tomorrow is when we can do something about it.”
The Phillies are certainly going to have to do something about it if they want to even the series. The Phils certainly did not envision being in a 1-2 series hole after sending their trio of aces to the mound. Cole Hamels pitched well over 6 innings of work allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 8. Hamels featured a strong curveball to go along with his fastball/changeup combination. After retiring the side in order through the first three innings, he ran into some trouble after allowing a single to Edgar Renteria and walking former Phillie Pat Burrell. Philly killer Cody Ross stepped to the plate and lined a single to LF which ended up being the winning run.
“Most guys take that pitch or hit it right at the third baseman,” Hamels said. “He’s hot. He’s hitting pitches that most normal people can’t hit at this time.”
Aubrey Huff added a RBI infield single on a ball just out of the reach of 2nd basemen Chase Utley and Freddie Sanchez tacked on a RBI single on a grounder to 2nd base that took a terrible hop leading to an insurance run.
With the loss the Phillies will head into Game 4 with their backs up against the wall as Joe Blanton (9-6, 4.82) will make his first start since September 29th against young lefty Madison Bumgarner (7-6, 3.00). However, ultimately the Phillies offense will have to come alive and put the abysmal performance of Game 3 behind them.
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