Jayson Werth delivered the crushing blow for the Phillies this afternoon, belting a three-run home run in the fifth.
So far in 2012, the Phillies' 'P' stands for pathetic. It's hard not to be baffled by the pure mediocre play that is on display on the field.
I'm going to start this recap with this little tidbit of information. The Phillies managed only five hits today. You figure out the rest.
The Phillies, believe it or not, scored first in this game. A sac fly by Carlos Ruiz plated Shane Victorino in the fourth.
The fifth was the inning that broke the game open for the Nationals. With Gio Gonzalez leading off the inning with a double. Vance Worley had allowed baserunners in each of his first four innings. He couldn't escape trouble in the fifth. Jayson Werth hit a three-run home run with two outs in the inning to give the Nationals a lead they wouldn't surrender.
Another run scored in the inning on an RBI double by Rick Ankiel.
The Nationals added a solo home run by Ian Desmond in the sixth and a two-run shot by Chad Tracy in the seventh to cap the scoring.
Worley didn't have a terrible day as he was simply tagged for runs in his last two innings, but did allow five runs and take the loss. The real concern lies in the offense and bullpen.
This team just isn't equipped for winning right now. The rest of the NL East is. That certainly is a problem for the reigning, five-time division champs.
It may be time to take expectations to a new level. Stop thinking the highest of expectations. Think lower…way lower.
This is not the Phillies of yesteryear, the ones that were World Series contenders and pennant winners. This team is possibly already in rebuilding mode. They have spent loads of money. Right now, a good $50 million or more of that money is injured and on the DL. The rest of that money certainly isn't playing up to their pay.
In today's 7-1 loss, that certainly showed. But at this point, there's no sense to harp on it every night. There's nothing we as fans can do. But something must be done, and it's time that the brass of the Phillies realized that.
The Phillies finish their series with the Nationals tomorrow night. Cole Hamels gets the start against Jordan Zimmerman.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
