Phillies Pitchers Pulverized in Loss to Indians

    The Phillies entered today's contest on three game win streak, looking to sweep the Indians in a short two game series.  The Indians had something different in mind, as they walloped the Phillies and cruised to a 10-4 victory.
    Cole Hamels received the start and continued to struggle so far in 2013.  Hamels threw five innings while allowing 5 runs on 6 hits.  With his command appearing to have taken an off day, Hamels struggled early and often, needing 51 pitches just to get through two innings, and 106 to pitch his total of five innings.  Hamels will need to figure things out relatively soon as the Phillies are desperate for someone to provide quality starts not named Kyle Kendrick or Cliff Lee.
    Now I bet you're saying, "Well Kyle, Hamels got rocked but at least it couldn't get any worse, right?"  Wrong my friends, the Phillies middle relievers continued to look like Rick Vaughn in the beginning of Major League 2 as they were rocked for another 5 runs (I don't know if they were throwing "Terminators" or "Eliminators," but it was bad). 
    Chad Durbin threw two-thirds of an inning and was charged with 2 runs after Jeremy Horst allowed the inherited runners to score in his one-third of an inning pitched.  Phillippe Aumont came on next and low and behold one of the Phillies middle relievers tossed a scoreless frame, as he allowed 1 hit and recorded 1 strikeout.  Quick to crush everyone's spirit yet again was Raul Valdes who allowed 3 runs on a three run home run in his first of two innings pitched.  So yes our "veteran" middle relievers Durbin and Valdes own a 7.30 and 7.65 ERA respectively this season.
    The Phillies offense didn't exactly impress too many people on the afternoon, but you can't expect them to win when the pitching staff allows 10 runs.  Jimmy Rollins had a 2 for 4 day with a double, as he accounted for 3 of the Phillies RBI's, while Delmon Young also went 2 for 4.  John Mayberry Jr. continued to look better as of late, as he started in centerfield today, going 2 for 4 at the plate and scoring 2 runs.
    So after a thorough beat down from the Indians the Phillies will now have an off day before Cincinnati rolls into town for a 3 game series.  Cliff Lee will be on the mound to open that series and hopefully get the Phillies back on track.