When facing a lesser starting pitcher, no offense has done less than the Phillies'.
The Phils were dominated yet again Tuesday by a struggling pitcher. This time it was Nationals right-hander Erick Fedde, who entered with a 7.08 ERA in 10 career starts.
So, of course, he struck out a career-high nine and allowed just two hits over 5⅔ scoreless innings.
The Phillies lost, 3-1, dropping Game 1 of their doubleheader with Washington. This is the Phils' fourth doubleheader of the season (most since 2011) and they've been unable to sweep any of them. All were against teams under .500 at the time.
Futility against mediocre pitching has been an ugly theme for the 2018 Phillies and it's gotten even more exaggerated of late.
This was the 33rd time this season the Phillies faced a pitcher who entered with fewer than 20 career starts. They've been held to two runs or fewer by 19 of the 33.
Nick Pivetta (7-12, 4.64) took the loss. Is he destined for the bullpen?
The Phillies, with 39 active players and 20 pitchers, used seven arms in Game 1. At one point in the fifth inning, Kapler used four different pitchers in the span of four batters.
MLB
Jake Arrieta (10-9, 3.61) will face Tanner Roark (8-15, 4.23) in Game 2.
Roark has allowed 10 runs and five homers in his last 11 innings.
Will it matter?
