Dodgers 5, Phillies 0
Game 87 - Late Wednesday Night, July 8th in Los Angeles
Record - 29-58, 5th Place, 18 1/2 games behind the Nationals
One Sentence Summary: Clayton Kershaw struck out 13 in his complete game, shutout win over the Phillies.
What It Means: The Phillies will try to go for the series split tonight (against Zack Greinke) and then head to San Francisco (to face Madison Bumgarner).
What Happened: The Phils never even had a chance against Kershaw and a three-run home run from Jimmy Rollins in the third certainly didn't help.
Featured Card: The big Phillies news over the past few days was the public statements made by Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. indicating that Chase Utley, upon his return from the disabled list, had lost the starting second baseman's job to Cesar Hernandez. I don't pretend to be smarter than any of the Phillies front office personnel, but this is a dumb thing to say out loud, with people (media) listening.
Ken Rosenthal actually summed up the situation best in this article.
Utley has been my favorite Phillies player for the past decade. There are a lot of other baseball and Phillies fans who can make that same statement. He has struggled mightily this season while Hernandez has been a more than adequate replacement at second. There is every reason to believe Utley won't be back next season (at least in red pinstripes). So why would Amaro, who I have to believe is a relatively smart guy, say something as undiplomatic and clumsy as he did? His statement shows no loyalty to Utley, no self-awareness and no regard for how his candid remarks would be received by Phillies fans.
This season has been a drag. Amaro's smug act is getting old. The sooner he's no longer a part of this franchise, the better. Utley can stay as long as he'd like. He's earned that right.
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