Hamels Ejected, Phils Lose Again
Phillies lose to Blue Jays, 6-1
By KAREN ARAIZA
Updated 12:45 AM EST, Sat, Jun 27, 2009
The Phillies went behind closed-doors for a meeting after losing for the 11th time in 13 games.
The 20 minute session uncovered a lengthy list of problems but didn't provide any solutions.
The team's downward spiral continued as Ricky Romero held Philadelphia hitless for six innings and Aaron Hill hit a two-run double. The Blue Jays won 6-1.
"There's no answer right now," Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino said. "Ultimately we need to find a way to stop it, whether it be 'Hey, you know what? Relax, have fun.' I have no answer for the situation. It's just one of those things where you're losing, things escalate by 10."
The Blue Jays swept a three-game series in Philadelphia last week. After that, the Phillies were swept by Baltimore and lost two of three in a World Series rematch at Tampa Bay.
"We're not playing like the team we are, that's the bottom line," Victorino said. "And we need to find a way."
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel did not talk to reporters after the game, but addressed his team's struggles at length beforehand.
"We're not really playing what you'd call 'together baseball' right now," Manuel said before batting practice.
Utley echoed those remarks in a somber Phillies clubhouse afterward.
"Right now we're definitely not playing good baseball all around," Utley said. "There's no one thing we're doing bad, we're just not playing together as a team."
Hamels was replaced by right-hander Chan Ho Park after infield singles by Adam Lind and Kevin Millar, then was ejected by home plate umpire Mark Carlson for arguing balls and strikes as he left the field.
Park got out of the jam but was injured when Alex Rios hit a bouncer off the pitcher's right knee. Park picked up the loose ball and made the throw to first before falling to the ground in pain. Righty Tyler Walker replaced Park in the sixth.
Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who is stuck in an 0 for 19 slump, sat out his second straight game.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Philadelphia
First Published: Jun 26, 2009 11:23 PM EST
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