Roy Halladay Gets Knocked Around, Leaves Early in Loss to Cubs
By: Mike Reisman
With the Phillies rotation being as good as it is, it seems like every game has the potential for a Phillies starter to go nine innings and have a start that leaves any fan awestruck. Usually, aces Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels will meet expectations, going seven, eight, or even nine good innings, and dominating teams with ease. However, every now and then, for one reason or another, these aces cant' come through, and tonight was just one of those nights.
Though tonight wasn't one of those nights where the Phillies pitchers were hot, the temperature was around 90 degrees, feeling like 97 and making for very uncomfortable conditions for all the players. Roy Halladay was one player who felt the heat especially badly, coming into the game feeling sick, and it translated to his pitching. He allowed three runs and a whopping seven hits in just four innings. After that, Halladay would be forced out of the game with a heat-related illness, ending his night.
Halladay's replacements, Andrew Carpenter and David Herndon wouldn't fare well either, both giving up two runs. They wouldn't get much support either, as the Phillies managed just one run off Jimmy Rollins' ninth home run of the year.
The Phillies hitting woes didn't seem to be self-destructive though, as it seems that the weather, paired with a decent start from Rodrigo Lopez just left the Phillies handcuffed, as they were only able to collect five hits all game. They would be especially helpless later into the game, not getting a single hit after the 7th inning, and looking sloppy an fatigued. After showing that they are capable of posting double digit runs against the Mets, the Phillies lineup will need to bounce back on a day that doesn't look to be any cooler tomorrow.
However, the main concern of tonight's game was not the offense, but Roy Halladay leaving the game early. Tonight's game broke his streak of 63 road games going at least six innings into the game. Though Halladay left the game early, this seems to be just a temporary ailment, something caused by the unreal heat that seems to be engulfing the mid-west. Halladay isn't expected to start until Sunday in Philly, where the temperature won't be as hot as tonight, with the expected high as 89 degrees.
The Phillies look to avenge their loss tomorrow night at 8:05, sending Cliff Lee to the hill to face Matt Garza.