Phils Offense Sputters Again

Phillies 3B Placido Polanco argues with 3B umpire Marty Foster after he failed to tag out Buster Posey on a stolen base in the 5th inning. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Phillies offense fell back to earth, sputtering in their struggle to get above .500.

It was Madison Bumgarner who kept the Phillies hitting at bay this time as the Giants went on to win, 4-2, in San Francisco.

Madison Bumgarner out-dueled Blanton in his first start since signing a contract extension with the Giants. He went six-plus innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two.

Joe Blanton wasn’t good by any means but he pitched well enough for a number-five starter. He lasted five innings, allowing four runs on 11 hits while striking out two.

Blanton’s 5th inning was probably extended as a result of Placido Polanco. On a stolen base attempt by Giants catcher Buster Posey, Phils catcher Carlos Ruiz made a good throw to third but a Polanco’s high tag allowed Posey to slide in safely.

The next batter, Brandon Crawford, grounded into a force play that allowed Posey to score when he beat the throw to first base.

Kyle Kendrick and Michael Stutes did a fantastic jobs in mop-up duty, pitching three scoreless innings to keep the Phillies in the game.

The Phillies squandered their biggest chance to do some damage in the 7th inning. While trailing 4-1, the Phils loaded the bases with no outs, seemingly putting themselves in a great position to even the game up.

But all they could manage was a one-out sacrifice fly from Ruiz to score Jimmy Rollins despite John Mayberry and Freddy Galvis blowing huge RBI opportunities with no outs and two outs in that inning.

Juan Pierre replaced Mayberry after that inning, going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles.

The Phillies got the lead off man on base seven out of nine innings but managed to score only two runs. They stranded eight and hit 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

2B: Victorino (1). HR: Pence (2).

WP: Bumgarner (2-1). LP: Blanton (1-2). SV: Casilla (1).

Boxscore.

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