Déjà Vu: Phillies Fall Due to Sixth Inning Woes

The Phillies (53-68) were looking to split their two game series against the Angels (70-49) and end an eight game losing streak against their franchise. The Phillies sent a struggling A.J. Burnett (6-13,  4.29 ERA) to the mound against Jered Weaver (13-7, 3.68 ERA). A.J. Burnett has been struggling as of late not earning a win since July 11. The Phillies are on yet another downward slide having loss four out of five before this game. Jered Weaver, who has been having decent season, did lose his last start against the Red Sox; however, this had no effect on the outcome on the game. 

Game:

The Phillies wasted opportunities to score in each of the first four innings and were unable to capitalize on a shaky Jered Weaver as they stranding seven runners. The Phillies could only scratch out two runs in the first four innings, one from a Marlon Byrd RBI single in the third and the other from a Jimmy Rollins' RBI single in the fourth. In the first inning Ben Revere was picked off of first by Weaver.

The Phillies echoed yesterday's blunder when they once again collapsed in the sixth inning. A.J. Burnett allowed six straight Angels to reach base. The inning started with Michael Trout grounding out, but then Albert Pujols hit a double, Josh Hamilton was hit by a pitch, Erick Aybar walked, and Howie Kendrick sent a soft bases-loaded two-run single on the right-field line to Grady Sizemore. Brennan Boesch then hit a fielder's choice that scored Erick Aybar making the score 4-2, Angels. A.J. Burnett was then removed after the sixth ending his line at six innings pitched, five hits allowed, four walks, four strike outs, one hit by pitch, and four-earned runs.

The Phillies did manage to cut the lead down to 4-3 when Grady Sizemore hit a triple in the eighth inning and then scored on a Dominic Brown fielder's choice; however, the rally fell short leading to yet another loss.

Impact:

The Phillies ended up losing the two game series and continuing a nine game losing streak against the Angels' franchise. Following the game A.J. Burnett was upset with himself saying, “I'm pretty sure they didn't bring me over here to be like this all year, inconsistent.” Burnett's next start will be his 27th kicking off a player option for 2015 worth $10 million, and can reach as much as $12.75 million if he makes 32 starts.

Up Next:

Good news is the Phillies won't lose tonight August 14th due to a rare and much needed on-the-road day off. The next game will kick off a three-game-series against the San Francisco Giants (63-57). Look for a pitcher's duel as the scheduled starters are Cole Hamels (6-6, 2.37) and Madison Bumgarner (13-9, 3.22).

Jesse Aaron Barnhart is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com