The Phils have only played two innings so far in this afternoon's game, and why they've struggled this week is on full display.

As is the case in nearly every season in the last decade, they have too any guys who swing and miss.... and, thus, don't move runners along very well.

1st inning -- Rollins singles and Dobbs, hitting second, walks. After Chase Utley flies to center, the two baserunners move themselves over with a double steal.

But then both Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell go down swinging.

Two on, no out.... no runs.

2nd inning -- Shane Victorino, hitting sixth Sunday in what's probably an attempt to add some balance to the lineup, singles to lead off. But instead of moving him over with a ground ball to the right right -- or ANY kind of ball to the right side - Geoff Jenkins and Carlos Ruiz hit back and back fly outs to left field.

Cole Hamels came through with a ground ball to the right side.... for the third out of the inning.

I believe this is why the Phils have lost four straight. Their offense keeps performing like this.

When they score runs, it's more often on extra base hits instead of the small-ball type of things teams need to do, too.

Case in point - Phils finally score a run in the third when Chase Utley snaps 0-for-24 skid with a two-out double and Ryan Howard follows with a single to right.

It worked. But eventually, they're going to have do more than rely on the double and home run.

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The Archive Files

In Saturday night's game, Brett Myers pitches well enough to win.... but runs into his own form of kryptonite in defeat.

For the first time this season, Chase Utley is a healthy scratch.

In the Sunday notes column, several reasons why the DH sucks and other news and notes from around the league... and yes, trivia, too.