CHICAGO — The PhilliesSince almost 11 years, I have been specializing in continuous failure. It has assumed various forms — some inconceivable, some haunting, some hilarious — but this was fresh. The outfielder at 24 years old, who was acquired for a high price because he is an excellent center fielder, lost a ball in direct sunlight for the second consecutive day. The team’s most expensive lineup in club history could not reach Wrigley Field in three days. The team’s three best starters pitched here and they emerged with zero wins.
The Phillies are now a coin flip, despite being projected by several models to have a better than 90% chance of reaching the postseason. Everything from this season — all of the sweat, the good vibes, the unexpected contributions — it’s all reduced to that. It’s a simple coin flip. The 2-0 loss ChicagoThey tied with the other team on Thursday MilwaukeeWhich hosts? Miami tonight. They were striving for something greater until they lost 10 out of 13 games. They were supposed be different. The darkness had passed.
Then, Jean SeguraStanding on first base, he looked at the venerable scoreboard in this 108-year-old baseball park and saw four bats. He glanced toward the batter’s box and saw the bat boy coming for Nick Maton’s bat and shin guard. It was 3-1.
Segura walked toward second base.
