Phillies Snap Nine-Game Losing Streak With 2-1 Win Over Baltimore

from buckscountycouriertimes.com
Ruben Amaro Jr.

The Philadelphia Phillies snapped a nine-game losing streak on Thursday despite a stagnant offense.

The Phillies defeated the Orioles 2-1 to avoid being swept for what would have been the third straight series.

Starter Sean O’Sullivan got off to a rocky start in the top of the first at Citizen’s Bank Park; giving up a lead-off homerun to Manny Machado.

O’Sullivan was able to limit the damage in the inning, getting Ryan Flaherty to go down on strikes with two men in scoring position.  That would be all of the offense for the O’s for the remainder of the day, as O’Sullivan didn’t allow a baserunner to advance beyond second base over the next four innings.

O’Sullivan exited the game in the top of the sixth with the Phillies trailing 1-0, giving up just four hits, one earned run, and striking out seven.

Jake Diekman came on in relief, and set down the only three batters he faced.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Phillies offense started to break through after Ben Revere reached on an infield single to lead off the inning. Revere then stole second and advanced to third on a Maikel Franco groundout. With two outs and a runner in scoring position, Ryan Howard came to the plate and lined the fourth pitch he saw over the right-centerfield wall to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

That would be the only scoring the bullpen would need to secure the victory.

Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth to record his 13th save of the season.

Despite the victory on Thursday, the Phillies bats have been quiet over the past nine games. The Phillies have mustered 16 runs while surrendering 52 runs, including 11 runs in one game against the Reds and a 19-spot against the Orioles on Tuesday.

Halfway through the month of June, the Phillies have been outscored 88-47.

General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. voiced his support for manager Ryne Sandberg on Wednesday when he was asked if Sandberg would finish the season and then be reevaluated.

“As far as I’m concerned, yes,” said Amaro. With reports that the Phillies may bring on Andy MacPhail as either a consultant or possibly a new head of the franchise, the question becomes how much longer will Sandberg and Amaro be safe?