Rollins Cant Keep the Phils Rollin'

Jennifer Rivera
Mini project #2

Fresh off of just their second win of the season the Philadelphia Phillies were back in Shea Stadium to face the rival Mets for the final game of the series.

Unfortunately, the Phils can’t add a third win to their record just yet. The Mets beat the Phillies with a score of 5-3, which considering their season so far isn’t as bad as their recent run-ins with the Braves.

One look at the stands revealed a day off for Mets fans. With cloudy weather and temperature around 40 degrees, there were plenty of empty seats this evening. Everyone was bundled up, including the players.

With a combined age of eighty-five, two ageless wonders squared off on the mound. The Mets Tom Glavine, 41, faced the Phillies Jamie Moyer, 44. Moyer didn’t have such a great day, allowing four earned runs

It looked hopeful for the Phillies in the early goings of the game. Well it looked like Jimmy Rollins was bagging the whole thing himself. He hommered twice within the first two innings (a solo shot and a two-run homer), but that wasn’t enough as the Met’s rallied more than once.

But Mets fans took notice of Rollins’ play. They booed him, incessantly. Rollins told ESPN exactly how he felt about it “"I love it. It's just a lot of fun. They give you energy whether they realize it or not. I thrive on the booing.”

The game seemed to turn on two occasions that were sparked by the same player. Who was none other than the Mets starting pitcher Tom Glavine. Much of the Met’s scoring happened after two successful sacrifice bunts.

Philly is waiting for the Phils to awaken. They were swept by the Braves, defeated the Marlins and Mets only once and have a current record of 2-7. So why are the Phillies struggling?

Despite the Phillies being walked a major league high of 54 times, after tonight, they are still struggling to score runs. Even with an impressive lineup including Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and reigning NL MVP Ryan Howard, they fail to hit the ball with runners in scoring position.

It’s early to make any clear assertions, but what is clear is who’s in the game and who’s not. Jimmy Rollins is pulling his weight (which isn’t much to begin with), but how about last seasons superstar, Ryan Howard? Phillies starting pitching as a whole has been in the zone, only to have quality starts blown by the backend of the bullpen.

Well, for one, he’s not hitting so well. Howard is batting 0.212 with only one home run through nine games, compared to his 0.313 and fifty-eight home runs last season. Can Howard find his swing and end the Phils’ woes on offense? We’ll just have to stay tuned for an answer.

Up next for the Phillies is the visiting Houston Astros for a three game home stand. Game one features the Phils’ ace Brett Myers against the Stros’ Roy Oswalt. A win in this series would give the Phillies just their first win at home this season.