:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17738501/169741937.0.jpg)
Two starts ago, Cole Hamels had his best performance of the 2013 season and was in line for the win, but it was not to be. Such has been his luck lately: after a horrible start to the season, Hamels has whittled his ERA from 4.58 on June 26 to a more respectable 3.81, but zero run support has been a problem for him, and he is winless in his last five starts. He is scheduled to start the opening game of a three-game series in Atlanta, his first start against the Braves since Opening Day.
The Phillies' fortune hasn't improved much since the Braves swept them in Philadelphia last week. After winning two of three from the Cubs, they were then swept in Washington and now sit 19.5 games out of first and in fourth place in the NL East, thanks in part to Atlanta's 14-game winning streak, having lost 17 of 21 games since the All-Star Break. Their sweep in Washington was the fourth time since the Break the Phillies had been swept, and they have now lost 11 straight road games.
There have been a few bright spots for the Phillies since the Braves series: Chase Utley had eight hits in a four-game stretch, but has gone hitless in his last two games; Domonic Brown has returned to the lineup and has a six-game hitting streak with a pair of homers and six RBI; three of Darin Ruf's last five hits over the last six games have been home runs.
Overall, the offense is hitting .259 over the last six games, which isn't that bad, but the pitching staff has a 5.82 ERA (33 ER in 51 innings); that's not surprising considering the Phillies have the worst pitching in the NL.
Monday, August 12, 7:10 p.m. ET - SportSouth
Tuesday, August 13, 7:10 p.m. ET - SportSouth
Wednesday, August 14, 7:10 p.m. ET - SportSouth
