PHILLIES PHODDER

The latest on the Phillies, as the season heads into May..

A brutal loss last night in LA. Hector Neris gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs in the 9th inning to blow a 5-2 lead. Zach Efflin again pitched great and deserved a better fate.

I was an advocate for Neris being the closer after Gomez and Benoit both failed at the role. But it is obvious that Neris can't do the job. Even before last night's meltdown he gave up runs since being named closer. He doesn't have the mentality. Put him back in the set-up role where he thrived.

I don't know what the team does now. I suppose they will rename Benoit as closer, Why not give Pat Neshak a shot? What do you have to lose?

The team is 11-11 after playing tough teams all April. With a win today they can finish the month over .500. The bullpen has blown five saves so far this season or the record would be even more impressive.

I know the rule of thumb is if you're not a contender you don't need a closer. But a loss like the one last night against the Dodgers was devastating to a young club. The Phjillies say they are trying to win games, not just play even this year. But how can you win games when you don't have a closer/ Isn't this the time when the young players need to learn how to win?

I was OK with the deal that sent closer Ken Giles to Houston, for starter Vince Valasquez, among others. But having a guy like Giles in your pen, someone you can depend on to tie down a game, should also be part of the rebuilding process.

Maybe Valasquez himself will become the future closer. There doesn't seem to be anyone in the minors with Giles-like stuff. It may be a bullpen by committee this summer.

After the game Neris was interviewed and he seemed pretty laid-back for such a crushing defeat. This loss may haunt the Phils all year. Neris had the attitude most baseball players have to keep their sanity- forget about it and get them tomorrow.

For Neris, there should'nt be a tomorrow, at least not as a closer.I would love to see someone get mad on this team, show a little emotion. It's a bit of a surprise, as the manager is emotional. Right now, the Phillies play like robots in the field. How are the fans supposed to care when the team doesn't appear to give a damn?

I picked the Dodgers to make the World Series in October vs. the Red Sox. They always seem to bring up new, potentially-great prospects, having a farm system rich in talent. Maybe Los Angeles can use a pitcher at the July trade deadline, someone like Jeremy Hellickson ( who is off to a 4-0 start), who may bring back at least one really good prospect? If the Dodgers want to make the Series after so many years, the Phillies front office need to hold them up for solid prospects.

I'm not a big GM Matt Klentak fan. The best recent trades and signings were accomplished by former GM Ruban Amaro ( I never thought I would say that).. Klentak seems too laid-back, not aggressive at all. That's the Phillies organizational theory all along regarding young players. They always seem to keep their future stars on the farm a little too long ( witness Ryan Howard and Chase Utley). Meanwhile, the Dodgers bring up talented kids like Cody Bellinger ( who hit two homers last night), who at only 21-years-old, is playing every day.

Klentak, give the fans some hope. Break up the logjam in Lehigh Valley and start to promote your future stars.. Again, what do you have to lsos?

Brock Stassi and Andrew Knapp both had good games last night in LA. They both deserve to play more, struggling guys like Tommy Joseph and Cameron Rupp. Now is the time for these players to prove they are every day players, even beyond 2017. Play Stassi and Knapp more, until prospects Hoskins and Alfaro are ready.

Finally, although Neris was the goat last night, the Phillies' offense didn't help matters, only going 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position. This group isn't clutch. They haven't been clutch for several years. Another reason to turn the page in time.