De profundis

The Phillies lost another heartbreaker last night. At 4-11, they are now officially the worst team in baseball.

Last night it was Tom “Flash” Gordon’s turn to blow it. After Jon Lieber pitched beautifully in his first start since being reinstated, and Charlie Manuel walked the managing tightrope to get the Phillies out of the 6th, and Alfonseca and Myers did their jobs well in the 7th and 8th, respectively, Gordon came on in the 9th with a 1-0 lead, got two outs, and then gave up a game-tying homer to a guy whose name I can’t remember. Back out for the 10th, Gordon completely unraveled. The Reds won it, 2-1, with only four hits.

Yes, the offense was terrible, too. Their only run was a gift—a third-to-first throwing error that Carlos Ruiz exploited well to score from second. Ruiz is one of few bright spots outside Myers and the starting pitching. A man among zombies, he has been a spunky hitter, a fine defensive catcher, and smart on the bases.

Utley, Howard, Burrell, Rowand, Helms, Victorino. None of these guys is hitting worth a damn. Burrell has hit, but not in the clutch. Utley and Howard are still in hibernation. They’ll come out of it, everybody says. Sure, but by then the Phillies may be all but invisible in the Mets’ (or the Braves’) rear-view mirror. Howard sat for the second day with a leg injury that I haven’t seen specified. He may struggle all year. Utley’s patience has been painful to watch, as he waits grimly for the sap to start flowing. Only Jimmy Rollins has played up to his pre-season prediction.

The bullpen is a disaster zone, as predicted. Geary and Madson have been awful, and Gordon himself has appeared shaky. The converted Myers has pitched well in two outings, looking strong-armed and determined, and Alfonseca (the big-bellied, six-fingered “El Pulpo”) has been fairly effective. Too early to tell whether the fire-throwing Rosario can help. Last night, I found myself willing Charlie to leave Myers in to pitch the 9th. I have a feeling that Gordon, the compact, coil-springed right-hander, may be reaching the end of the line. He’s been a real pro, and he looks strong physically, but right now I don’t see him lasting the season as closer.

“It’s still early.” They’re still saying that in the locker room, but by now it’s coming through clenched teeth. There’ve already been a half-dozen dispiriting losses like last night’s. How many more until their confidence, and their season, slip away entirely?