Cubs Shock The World, Dodgers Force Game 5

YESTERDAY IN POSTSEASON PLAY:

History was made last night as the Cubs continued to win, eliminating a Cardinals team that won a MLB best 100 games during the regular season. The right pieces seem to be falling into place and performing… how far can this team go? In the other game of the night, Clayton Kershaw dominated the Mets forcing a decisive game 5 matchup to determine who will be facing the Cubs in the NLCS. This postseason is just starting to get interesting.  

Cubs Eliminate Cardinals 6-4

For the first time in the history of Wrigley Field, the Cubs clinched a postseason series at home, edging the mighty Cardinals, 6-4, in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. The Cubs now can party as they wait to see whether they'll face the Mets or the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, which opens on Saturday. "We beat the Cardinals -- these guys are like our older brothers and they've been kicking sand in our face for 100 years," Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said. "There's a lot of similarities to when [the Red Sox] knocked off the Yankees in '04. This one just gives us a nice date on Saturday." Javier Baez joined the young Cubs power corps with a three-run home run, Anthony Rizzo delivered a tiebreaking solo shot with two outs in the sixth and Kyle Schwarber nearly reached Lake Michigan with a leadoff blast in the seventh to spark Chicago to victory and a 3-1 Series win. Despite posting the best record in baseball, St. Louis, which had reached the NLCS the last four years in a row, now heads home. "It's disappointing," said Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, whose comeback season ended with two scoreless innings in relief on Tuesday. "We don't set our sights in Spring Training for getting in the postseason just [to] go home in the first round. That's never what we aspire to do or be. It's painful when you lose, for sure. I can't get away from all the things we overcame this year to even get here. But losing is losing. It's never easy. There's nothing we can do. We have no regrets. We absolutely went about this thing the right way. We left it all on the line, and we got beat." Baez was filling in for injured shortstop Addison Russell, and all manager Joe Maddon wanted was solid glove work from the 22-year-old. Baez added some punch as the Cubs became the first team in postseason history to have four players 23 or younger hit home runs, joining Kris Bryant, Schwarber and Jorge Soler, who each connected on Monday in Game 3. Baez's blast came off Cardinals right-hander John Lackey, who was starting on short rest in the postseason for the third time in his career. "He hit a tough pitch, especially that time of the day with the shadows," Bryant said of Baez's blast. "I couldn't see the ball my first at-bat and he goes up there and hits a three-run homer." Rizzo's home run came off an 0-2 pitch from Kevin Siegrist, and was his second in as many games against the Cardinals' lefty. Rizzo is the first player in Cubs postseason history to smack a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning or later of a series-clinching game. "You can't pitch like that in the postseason," said Siegrist, who had kept Rizzo without an extra-base hit in 22 regular-season plate appearances. "There's no excuse for that. I'll learn from it. I'll be better next year for it." This was only the third time the Cubs have won consecutive postseason games at home. They also did so in 1907 in the World Series against the Tigers and again in 1984 against the Padres in the NLCS. Chicago entered this postseason 0-11 all time in any series in which they lost Game 1. "This is a team that was as impressive to watch from Day One as any team I've ever been around, and just a collection of skill and fight and character and just all the way across the board from the veteran guys leading to the young guys figuring out a way to contribute," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "It was a special group." Both starting pitchers -- the Cubs' Jason Hammel and Lackey -- completed just three innings, and this marked the second time a team has clinched an NLDS in which the starter hasn't completed more than three innings. Wainwright exited after 2 1/3 innings in 2012 as the Cards defeated the Nationals in Game 5. Chicago scored 14 runs combined in Games 3-4, and all but one came on a home run. The other was courtesy of pitcher Hammel's RBI single in the second inning of Game 4.

Dodgers Dominate Mets 3-1

Desperately needing a win to stave off elimination, Clayton Kershaw thrust his postseason troubles aside with a brilliant performance Tuesday in National League Division Series Game 4, firing seven innings of three-hit ball in a 3-1 Dodgers win over the Mets. "I don't think anyone was going to outpitch Clayton Kershaw tonight," Mets third baseman David Wright said. "I wish we could have won here, obviously so that we could prepare for the next round and do it in front of our fans. But Kershaw was just a beast tonight. It was going to be tough to beat him when he was on like he was. Hopefully we can take care of business in L.A." Pitching on three days' rest, Kershaw battled early before settling into one of the better postseason grooves of his career in the middle innings. After Daniel Murphy homered with one out in the fourth, Kershaw did not let another runner past first base. He struck out six of seven batters during one stretch, snapping his five-game postseason losing streak.

POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS: Read my post from October 6^th to see how many I have gotten wrong!

CURRENT POSTSEASON PICTURE:

American League Division Series

Kansas City and Houston tied 2-2

Game 5: Wednesday, October 14, at 8:00 PM

Toronto and Texas tied 2-2

Game 5: Wednesday, October 14, at 4:00 PM

National League Division Series

Chicago Eliminated St. Louis 3-1

NLCS Game 1: Tuesday, October 13, at 4:30 PM

New York and Los Angeles tied 2-2

Game 5: Thursday, October 15, at 8:00 PM

National League Championship Series

Chicago at TBD

Game 1: Saturday, October 17, at TBD

American League Championship Series

TBD at TBD

Game 1: Friday, October 16, at TBD

PHILS PHACTS:

Breaking Ground – Four months after the Phillies dedicated four new and renovated baseball fields at FDR Park, there was a ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday for the next phase of its Urban Youth Academy: an indoor-outdoor facility in South Philadelphia. A 7,500 square foot extension will be added to the existing building to create a new training facility. Parts of the existing Marian Anderson Recreation Center will be renovated to create space for fitness training, educational and vocational programs. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Mayor Michael Nutter, Major League Baseball's vice president of youth and facility development Darrell Miller, Phillies chairman Dave Montgomery, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Deputy Mayor Michael DiBeradinis. "This is an incredible example of the city partnering with community organizations and the private sector to renovate a recreation center in the community that lacks abundant public play spaces. The new classrooms, fitness center and equipment at the [center] will benefit 8,000 players receiving free baseball and softball instruction on a regular basis," Nutter said. "The city supports the Urban Youth Academy's mission to use baseball and softball to teach young people about teamwork and responsibility, all while teaching them to be active and healthy in these spaces. By providing our young people with a fun and fulfilling environment in their own neighborhood, we're also giving them the tools to learn, to connect and to grow with successful, caring adults who give back to the community on a regular basis." Philadelphia joins Compton, Houston, New Orleans and Cincinnati as cities with UYAs. A facility in Kansas City has also been announced. Montgomery noted that leftfielder Pat Burrell, who last played for the Phillies in 2008, contributed seed money and that current first baseman Ryan Howard and his wife, Krystle, stepped up when additional funding was needed. Also contributing was the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, a joint effort between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association. "These projects take time, and Philadelphia was no exception," Miller said. "We wanted to do something here in the baddest way. You have to understand, the Phillies have been in the trenches 20 years. They've been committed from the very beginning to make sure kids have an opportunity to play baseball. "We now have the opportunity to take it to the next level. We're not doing anything different. We're just going to do it bigger and better and we're going to have a lot of fun with it. The facilities are going to be big league." Montgomery also introduced Dr. Mahlene Duckett, whose father, Mahlon, was a Philadelphia native, a Negro League star and the last surviving member of the Philadelphia Stars. When he passed away at the age of 92 this summer, the family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Philles' Urban Youth Academy. Miller became passionate when discussing the impact these academies can have. "Major League Baseball wants to make sure every child who wants to pick up a bat or a ball or a glove and wants to play catch, or play the game of baseball or girls' softball, gets an opportunity to play," he said. "Our youth deserve tremendous facilities. They deserve the opportunity to play the game at the highest possible level. They deserve great coaching. They deserve mentoring. They deserve the opportunity to play the greatest game ever created. It's a hard game to play. It takes a tremendous amount of time and dedication. It's all about work. It's all about individual determination. It's the fabric of what our great nation has been built on. And that's hard work. That's what makes great baseball players. That's what makes great softball players. That's what makes Major League contributors to our society." He caught himself, stopped and smiled. "I'm preaching," he noted. "But the Pope was just here and I'm following his lead. We have a lot to do on this field and on this front throughout America."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies finally put an end to the season finishing in last place in the NL East with a record of 63-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in franchise history! However, there are some former Phillies still making headlines in the playoffs this year.

Key Hits And Big Pitching Performances

YESTERDAY IN POSTSEASON PLAY:

A full slate of division series games made for a long and busy day for baseball. In the AL, the Rangers find themselves in a surprising position and the Royals fought back to even the series. The NL series’ opened up with two fantastic pitching matchups as the Cardinals won the battle of former rotation mates as John Lackey shutout the Cubs and Jon Lester and the Mets, behind blossoming ace Jacob deGrom, prevailed over perennial Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers. Tomorrow should be an interesting day in the NL as teams look to take the advantage or fight back to even the series.  

Rangers Outlast Blue Jays 6-4

The place was sold out and the atmosphere was electric, but the hometown fervor at Rogers Centre couldn't stop the Rangers from riding a 6-4 victory over the Blue Jays in 14 innings to a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series on Friday afternoon. The best-of-five ALDS resumes on Sunday night in Arlington, and the Rangers need one more victory to advance to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2011. Since Division Series play began in 1995, teams that have gone up 2-0 have advanced 42 of 47 times.

Royals Edge Astros 5-4

Ben Zobrist singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning off Astros reliever Will Harris, scoring Alcides Escobar, and the Royals' bullpen tossed three scoreless innings in a pulsating 5-4 win on Friday at Kauffman Stadium as Kansas City evened the American League Division Series at 1-1. The Royals were the first home team to win this postseason, as the road teams won the first five games. The only other time that the road team won the first five games of a postseason was 1906.

Cardinals Shutout Cubs 4-0

Facing their archrivals from Chicago for the first time in postseason history, the Cardinals, behind the experienced postseason arm of John Lackey and a late rookie power surge, nabbed a 4-0 win over the Cubs at Busch Stadium on Friday to open their best-of-five National League Division Series. Lackey outdueled good friend Jon Lester to boost the Cardinals to an early series lead that has proven pivotal in DS play. Of the 40 teams to win the first game of the NLDS, 36 have gone on to advance to the NL Championship Series.

Mets Down Dodgers 3-1

The roar from the Mets' postgame clubhouse was audible through a concrete wall, seeming to threaten Dodger Stadium's very foundation. The Mets had just upended the Dodgers, 3-1, in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday, behind seven shutout innings from Jacob deGrom and key hits by David Wright and Daniel Murphy. In doing so, they had beaten Clayton Kershaw and grabbed home-field advantage back from their hosts -- proving that they are not, as a reporter suggested to general manager Sandy Alderson last month, simply "happy to be here."

POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS: Read my post from October 6^th to see how many I have gotten wrong!

CURRENT POSTSEASON PICTURE:

American League Division Series

Kansas City and Houston tied 1-1

Game 3: Sunday, October 11, at 4:00 PM

Texas leads series 2-0

Game 3: Sunday, October 11, at 8:00 PM

National League Division Series

St. Louis leads series 1-0

Game 2: Saturday, October 10, at 5:37 PM

New York leads series 1-0

Game 2: Saturday, October 10, at 9:00 PM

PHILS PHACTS:

GM Search Underway – Andy MacPhail has said it would be ambitious to hire a new general manager before the end of the month, but it remains his goal. The incoming president seems to be making progress. MacPhail interviewed his first candidate last month, and according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, MacPhail has at least two more interviews scheduled. One is with Major League Baseball vice president of baseball operations Kim Ng, who has worked in front offices with the Yankees, Dodgers and White Sox. The other is with Indians vice president of player personnel Ross Atkins. The club has not confirmed the report. Former Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest already has interviewed. Ng is highly regarded in baseball. If hired, she would become the first female GM in baseball history.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies finally put an end to the season finishing in last place in the NL East with a record of 63-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 0-2-0 on this day.

Trout Leads AL To Victory

GAME RECAP: AL Defeats NL 6-3

An unquestionably successful All-Star experience in Cincinnati saw some its most memorable moments delivered by two guys from New Jersey. Third baseman Todd Frazier of the host Reds, with an assist from a new format, provided the drama and energy while winning the Gillette Home Run Derby sponsored by Head and Shoulders on Monday. Then, Angels superstar Mike Trout added his own sizzle on Tuesday to the 86th All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile. Trout hit a leadoff home run and scored two runs, setting the tone for the American League in a 6-3 victory over the National League before 43,656 fans at Great American Ball Park. It was the third straight All-Star win for the AL, which will have home-field advantage once again in the World Series. Trout became the first back-to-back winner of the All-Star Game MVP Award presented by Chevrolet. "It means a lot," Trout said. "Obviously, [we] came out with a 'W.' That's the biggest thing. When I go out there, I play my hardest every day. … It's just an incredible honor to be a part of the All-Star Game and win the MVP twice. It's something special, for sure." It was two AL runs in the top of the fifth inning against Clayton Kershaw that snapped a 1-1 tie. Pinch-hitting, Prince Fielder hit an RBI single with one out and was followed by Lorenzo Cain, who laced an RBI double. Andrew McCutchen hit a homer for the NL to lead off the sixth, but the AL added on with two runs in the seventh on Manny Machado's RBI double off the wall in right-center field and Fielder's sacrifice fly off Francisco Rodriguez. Brian Dozier provided an eighth-inning homer to give the AL insurance. The winning pitcher was David Price, who threw a perfect fourth inning with two strikeouts, while Kershaw was the losing pitcher. Unforgettable moments began even before the first pitch, when the "Franchise Four" players from all 30 teams were announced. The Reds were saved for last and introduced on the field, with the fans erupting for Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Barry Larkin and, especially, Pete Rose. It was followed by the introduction of the four greatest living players -- Henry Aaron, Bench, Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays. "It was awesome to see guys like that," Trout said. With a strong All-Star week behind it, Cincinnati passes the baton to San Diego, the host for the 2016 Midsummer Classic.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• The AL jumped out to a lead immediately when Trout led off the game by hitting NL starter Zack Greinke's 1-2 pitch into the first row of right-field seats. The ball had an exit velocity of 100.2 mph, according to Statcast™. It was only the fourth time in All-Star Game history that there has been a homer to begin the top of the first inning, and it was the first time since the Reds' Joe Morgan did it in 1977. The last first-inning leadoff homer in the All-Star Game was by Bo Jackson of the Royals in the bottom of the first in 1989. Trout finished the game 1-for-3 with two runs scored and improved to 5-for-10 in his All-Star career. "It was a lot of fun," AL manager Ned Yost said. "We've been really working on our game plan for the last week. We tried to punch holes in it every which way we could, and we worked it to perfection. We wanted to put power at the top of the lineup and hopefully get a quick strike. Mike Trout took care of that for us."
• The AL starter, Astros ace Dallas Keuchel, allowed just one ball out of the infield in his two innings but surrendered an unearned run in the second. He recorded one strikeout, inducing four ground-ball outs. Keuchel became the fourth Astros pitcher to start an All-Star Game and the first since Roger Clemens in 2004 (Mike Scott in 1987 and J.R. Richard in '80 were the others). "The best experience I've ever had in my life," Keuchel said. "I'm just thankful I was able to get the nod and I guess throw strikes. I was worried about being too amped up and being all over the place, but I was able to calm down after that first pitch and able to settle in." 
• Following the Trout homer, Greinke did not give up another hit. His line was one earned run with one hit, one walk and four strikeouts. His four K's were the most by an All-Star pitcher since Boston's Pedro Martinez struck out five at Fenway Park in 1999, and the most by an NL pitcher since Lee Smith in 1987. Greinke hadn't allowed a run in 35 2/3 innings entering the Midsummer Classic.
• After Paul Goldschmidt reached on an infield single and a throwing error by third baseman Josh Donaldson, the NL evened the game in the second with an unearned run. Jhonny Peralta blooped a two-out RBI single to short right field that scored Goldschmidt to make it a 1-1 game. The NL did not have another baserunner until Peralta walked with one out in the fifth, and it lacked another hit until McCutchen's homer to begin the sixth.
• Price struck out NL sluggers Bryce Harper and Goldschmidt during a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth inning. Price has been on five All-Star teams and has pitched in three All-Star Games, allowing just one hit and no runs over four innings. He started for the AL in 2010 and pitched two innings, then tossed another perfect frame for the AL in '12.  
• Madison Bumgarner retired Salvador Perez to end Game 7 of the 2014 World Series and also struck out Perez in the top of the fourth, his lone inning in the All-Star Game. The Bumgarner-Perez rematch was an entertaining battle in which Perez worked a full count, but eventually Bumgarner got the Royals' catcher to strike out swinging. However, strike three was a wild pitch, allowing Perez to reach first base. In Bumgarner's scoreless fourth, he did allow a single to Cain. The Royals outfielder added an RBI double in the fifth, becoming the first Royals player to have a multihit All-Star Game since Jackson in 1989. George Brett did it three times. 
• With two outs and a runner on second in the top of the fifth, Kershaw had a 1-2 count on Albert Pujols before walking him with three straight balls. That opened the door for the AL, and Fielder snapped a tied game with a single to left field that scored Trout. Cain followed with an RBI double scorched down the left-field line to score Pujols and make it a 3-1 game. "Not great," Kershaw said. "I gave up a couple of runs, so it's never the best."  
• Right-hander Jacob deGrom, the Mets' lone All-Star, represented his team well in the top of the sixth inning by striking out the side -- Stephen Vogt, Jason Kipnis and Jose Iglesias -- on only 10 pitches, including nine strikes. Eight of his pitches were clocked at 96 mph or faster, including a 97-mph heater that fanned Vogt for the inning's first out. deGrom is the first pitcher in All-Star Game history with three strikeouts in an inning while using 10 pitches or fewer. Brad Lidge used 11 pitches in 2005. "That was unreal," deGrom said. "I was looking forward to getting a chance to throw, and I was pretty nervous in the bullpen, but when I got out there the nerves kind of went away, it was an awesome experience." 
• Trout's speed on the basepaths was a huge factor in a two-run fifth inning for the AL off Kershaw. Trout reached a top speed of 21.3 mph in beating out a forceout after Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar led off with a single. Following a walk by Angels teammate Pujols, Trout scored the go-ahead run on a single by Fielder, topping out at 20.4 mph as he raced home from second base to beat a throw from Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson that was clocked at 92.5 mph.
• In the bottom of the sixth inning on the first pitch he saw from Chris Archer, McCutchen led off with a home run into the left-field seats that cut the NL's deficit at the time to one run. According to Statcast™, McCutchen's drive left the bat at 107 mph and was projected to land 406 feet away. McCutchen's homer, coupled with Trout's, marked the first time since 1965 that both starting leadoff batters had homered in an All-Star Game. In '65, Mays (NL) and Dick McAuliffe (AL) both homered. 
• Playing in his first All-Star Game, Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias helped cut short a potential rally by the NL with a great play in the hole to end the eighth inning. With a runner on second and two outs, Iglesias ranged to his right to scoop a sharp ground ball off the bat of Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal. With his momentum carrying him away from first base, Iglesias then threw across his body, firing a strike to Mark Teixeira for the out.
• The home fans weren't disappointed when Reds closer Aroldis Chapman entered for the top of the ninth and struck out the side, getting Brock Holt, Mike Moustakas and Teixeira. Chapman threw 14 pitches, 12 of which were clocked at 100 mph or faster. He twice reached 103 mph facing Moustakas, including his K for the second out. "I feel really happy," Chapman said via translator Tomas Vera. "I can't describe it, but I feel like I had so much fun. I want to do this. I'm happy I threw the ninth. I had a chance to show the fans and everybody else what they're used to seeing every night, pitching the way I do."
• Trout's first All-Star Game at-bats keep improving each year. His first at-bat in 2012 was a single. In 2013? A double. Last year? A triple. And now the homer to start his 2015 Midsummer Classic. Trout became the ninth player to hit for a career cycle in the All-Star Game, and Fielder became the 10th with his single in the fifth. The other eight: Lou Whitaker, Brett, Mike Schmidt, Steve Garvey, Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente, Mays and Ted Williams.
• The National League's edge over the American League in All-Star Games continued to shrink. The NL leads the all-time series, 43-41-2. The AL is 21-5-1 over the last 27 All-Star Games.
• "That was good. That was fun. Obviously, when you spend 12 years coming to Cincinnati and you beat them so many times, they're going to boo you. It was a great time. I was enjoying it." -- Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, on fans of the NL Central-rival Reds booing him and his teammates.

• The Phillies don't have much history facing Fernandez, but one player who has enjoyed success off him is Freddy Galvis, who is 3-for-6. Chase Utley, who's on the DL, is 2-for-9.
• The Marlins and Phillies will meet for their third series this year, and second in Philadelphia. Miami holds a 4-2 advantage in the season series.
• Dee Gordon, Miami's All-Star second baseman, is not expected to go on the disabled list. The Marlins are aiming to reinstate third baseman Martin Prado (right shoulder) from the DL, and he's a candidate to be a short-term option at second beginning Friday.

NEXT GAME:

After the All-Star break, the club returns home to open a three-game series against the Miami Marlins on Friday night. Left-hander Adam Morgan makes his fourth career start as he squares off against the Marlins' Jose Fernandez. Morgan is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in his rookie season. The Marlins' ace, who made both of his first-half starts in Miami, will open the second half against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Friday. Fernandez already has regained his old form, notching wins in each of his first two starts back from Tommy John surgery. While the hard-throwing right-hander has dominated at Marlins Park (14-0, 1.17 ERA) in his career, he has been vulnerable on the road, where he is 4-8 with a 3.93 ERA. He is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in his career in Philadelphia. The Phillies are starting the series off with rookie Adam Morgan, who is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts. The lefty has 12 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings, and this will be his second home start. He's lost back-to-back decisions on the road after opening his career with a 5 2/3-innings win over the Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park on June 21.

PHILS PHACTS:

Enjoying The Experience – Earlier in his career, during several of his initial All-Star experiences in the mid-2000s, Jonathan Papelbon recalls huddling with Mariano Rivera and some of the game's other top closers. He picked their brains, eager to extract any nuggets of wisdom he could find. "Speak of the devil," Papelbon said Tuesday, nodding to a clubhouse television. Replays of Rivera were flashing across the screen. These days, Rivera is retired, his presence in big league clubhouses confined to such video reels. But Papelbon is still kicking as one of the game's best closers, despite going unused in the National League's 6-3 loss to the American League in the All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile at Great American Ball Park. Papelbon may not wish to continue playing for the Phillies, as he stated in no uncertain terms during Monday's All-Star media day. But his 1.60 ERA and 14-for-14 record in save situations prove he still has plenty left to give at age 34 -- in Philadelphia or elsewhere. He's one of the old guys now, one of the Riveras, older than all but six of the 76 players on this year's All-Star rosters. Papelbon's six All-Star appearances matched Francisco Rodriguez and Ryan Braun for the second-most of anyone in the NL clubhouse, so he felt like he had something to offer. "Of course you want to come in to pitch, make it feel worthwhile, you know?" Papelbon said. Yet not pitching, Papelbon said, hardly ruined his experience, considering he had appeared in four of his previous five All-Star Games, striking out five batters over 3 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run. He considered this week in Cincinnati just as worthwhile. If Papelbon is indeed traded and this winds up being his last All-Star Game as a Phillie, he'll remember it for the conversations he had and the wisdom he imparted to those younger than he -- so much of it garnered from the Riveras of the world over a career's worth of All-Star Games. "Those are some of the top experiences that I'll remember the most," Papelbon said of his talks with the NL's other top relievers. "I give them the best advice I can give, whatever the subject or topic may be."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 29-62. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance so far this season, this could end up being the worst team in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 45-58-0 on this day.

Phillies Overmatched By Kershaw And Dodgers

GAME RECAP: Dodgers Blank Phillies 5-0

Clayton Kershaw made his case for the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote and A.J. Ellis and Jimmy Rollins homered as the Dodgers beat the Phillies, 5-0, Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. In his last start before the All-Star break, and last audition for the Final Vote, Kershaw fired his first shutout of the season. The MLB leader in strikeouts tied a season-high with 13 strikeouts and allowed eight hits. Kershaw's ERA is 1.53 in his last nine starts and his season ERA dropped to 2.85. "He was really strong. He was 0-1 all night long, which sets up the entire at-bat for Clayton," Ellis said. "Hopefully, and rightfully so, Major League Baseball gets to see this guy next week." Adam Morgan lasted just four innings and took the loss for the Phillies. In his third career start, Morgan allowed five runs, all coming on the home runs, his second straight outing allowing multiple home runs. "It's a process, but I feel great right now," Morgan said. "I still feel like there's more, so I'm just going to keep working my butt off and hopefully take the ball whenever I get the chance again."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• The Phillies felt pretty good after Morgan allowed two runs in seven innings last weekend against Atlanta, but he could not replicate that success against the Dodgers. He allowed six hits, five runs, one walk and two home runs in just four innings. "We were careful with him," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "He's allowed to not be sharp once in a while, especially when you're a rookie. I think he's better than he pitched today. I think he's more like the last two starts than he was today."
• Morgan's early departure forced the Phillies' already overworked bullpen into another long night. That is worth noting with rookie right-hander Severino Gonzalez pitching Thursday night's series finale. Gonzalez has not pitched more than 5 1/3 innings in any of his six starts this season.
• "When a guy like Kershaw is pitching like he did tonight, you're in trouble. Obviously, he's got six losses, so somebody caught him at the right time. We unfortunately didn't." – Mackanin.
• The Phillies had not been shut out since June 15. They had averaged 4.86 runs per game since, which ranked 8th in Major League Baseball.

NEXT GAME:

Rookie right-hander Gonzalez rejoins the Phillies' rotation for Thursday night's series finale against the Dodgers. He is 2-3 with an 8.28 ERA in six starts and has been unable to pitch more than 5 1/3 innings in any of them, but the Phillies would rather give him another look than right-hander Kevin Correia, whom they designated for assignment Tuesday. Zack Greinke will be on the mound for the final game of the four-game set at 7:10 p.m. PT. Greinke leads the Majors with a 1.48 ERA and hasn't allowed a run in his last 27 2/3 innings, a streak that spans four consecutive starts. Greinke has lasted at least six innings in every start this season.

PHILS PHACTS:

Getting Through The Night – Adam Morgan had allowed just three runs in the first 12 2/3 innings of his Phillies career. But he had no illusions pitching in the big leagues would be so easy. Wednesday night proved to be a reality check anyway. Morgan allowed six hits, five runs, one walk and two home runs in four innings in a 5-0 loss to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. It was the shortest start of his very brief, three-start career, and the 16th time in the last 22 games a Phillies starter has been unable to pitch six innings. "I felt off a little bit," Morgan said. "The biggest mistake that I think that I made was falling behind on guys, trying to pick too much." Morgan walked Howie Kendrick with one out in the first, then hit Justin Turner with a pitch. Freddy Galvis made an ill-advised flip to Cesar Hernandez on a ball up the middle, which loaded the bases. Morgan worked out of the jam, but he served up a two-run home run to A.J. Ellis in the second inning to hand the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. It was Ellis' first homer of the season. Morgan then allowed a three-run homer to Jimmy Rollins in the third to make it 5-0. Rollins has enjoyed playing against his former team. He entered the series hitting .208 with seven home runs, 24 RBIs and a .585 OPS. He is 4-for-12 with one double, one home run and five RBIs in three games against the Phillies, which includes the game-winning hit Monday night. Morgan hit in the fifth inning, but did not pitch in the bottom of the fifth, despite throwing 88 pitches. Interim manager Pete Mackanin explained that since Morgan has dealt with shoulder problems in the past -- he had left shoulder surgery in January 2014 -- that he erred on the side of caution. "We were careful with him," Mackanin said. "He's allowed to not be sharp once in a while, especially when you're a rookie. I think he's better than he pitched today. I think he's more like the last two starts than he was today." That is the Phillies' hope. And that is exactly why Morgan will get more starts after the All-Star break next week. "You pull for Adam Morgan because of the way he goes about his business," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday. "The way he's handled himself so far, you have to respect that and hope that it continues." "It's a process, but I feel great right now," Morgan said. "I still feel like there's more, so I'm just going to keep working my butt off and hopefully take the ball whenever I get the chance again."

Who’s At Second? – Chase Utley is the greatest second baseman in Phillies history, but it appears Cesar Hernandez's time has come. Hernandez, 25, is hitting .301 (55-for-183) with 10 doubles, one triple, one home run, 19 RBIs and a .768 OPS in 72 games. He was 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout in Tuesday night's 7-2 win over the Dodgers. But is the iconic Utley, 36, still the primary second baseman when he returns from the DL? "Not for me he's not," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "Cesar Hernandez is our best second baseman." So whenever Utley returns … "I would assume that Cesar will be our second baseman," Amaro said. "Chase's situation will kind of dictate itself, how he feels. There'll be time for him to play, I think. He could play some first base. He could play some second. But as far as I'm concerned, just like what our plan has been for a long, long time, that's to give opportunities to young men who could be part of our future. Cesar Hernandez has been one of our best players on the field right now in a variety of ways." Not surprisingly, Utley had little reaction about Amaro's comments. "Well, I think Cesar has done a really good job," Utley said. "There you go." Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin seems to be on board with Amaro. Asked for a health update on Utley before the game, Mackanin said, "I haven't heard a word. But with Cesar playing so well, it's not really a big deal for the simple reason that Utley has not played and seen pitching, so when he does come back … you really can't count on him. How long has it been? Two weeks. And by the time he starts taking BP and all of that stuff, it's probably going to be a month before he comes back in and then what do you do? I don't know." Utley's ankle has improved since a cortisone injection. He could begin baseball activities before the end of the road trip. He also said recently he could be back on the field before the end of the month.

Head Toward The Light – The Phillies have the worst record in baseball, but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he sees a light at the end of a long tunnel. "I would put our farm system up against anybody's," Amaro said Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. "I'm not saying that because I'm the GM, I'm saying it because at this stage right now from top to bottom, from [Class A] Williamsport to the [rookie-level] GCL to [Double-A] Reading and with [Aaron] Nola and [Aaron] Altherr and some guys in Triple-A, I would put our organization up against any of them. "We have players," he said. "We have more players since I've been here … 17 years. When you can move players from low A to high A and not skip a beat, that's when you know you're starting to build depth in your organization. "We've got players. I'm telling you. Are they all going to be Major Leaguers? Absolutely not. Will they be impact players? Absolutely not. But as far as depth …" He said it's the best he has seen since he has been in the Phillies' front office. Minor matters: Right-hander Jonathan Pettibone will have right shoulder surgery (an interval closure) on July 22. It is Pettibone's second shoulder surgery. He had his first in June 2014; Right-hander Sean O'Sullivan accepted his assignment and will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Phillies outrighted him Monday; Right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez continues to have shoulder problems. He has been shut down from throwing.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 29-58. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance so far this season, this could end up being the worst team in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 40-49-0 on this day.