So Many Holes Have Opened

Where are the Nationals when they need them? Oh, coming right up!Nearly all the signs coming out of the Phillies dugout are lousy. They aren't hitting much. They aren't scoring many runs. They aren't getting consistent pitching from their starters. They can't finish off games consistently.After taking two out of three at home from the Giants by the slimmest of margins, the Phils went to Texas and were promptly swept by the Astros. Cliff Lee was bombed. Brad Lidge blew another save. Cole Hamels followed two fine starts with a bad outing. The Hamels performance was particularly galling because once again he lost his composure, something, frankly, he rarely did when he had his command. For a guy with his major league experience to have to walk behind the mound to take a big, public moment to calm down is disturbing.At a time of year when the Phillies should be putting the finishing touches on their edifice, they are faced with cracks and fissures everywhere on...