LOS ANGELES - If you've got the stomach for it, take a minute to digest the next sentence when considering how bad things have gotten for the Phillies in 2015.
Since June 1, Phillies starting pitchers not named Cole Hamels had combined for a 7.81 ERA in 27 games entering last night at Dodger Stadium.
The eight pitchers besides Hamels who have made starts since the beginning of June have averaged five innings per start, putting unneeded stress on the bullpen nightly for 5 1/2 weeks. Apparently the front office finally had seen enough after Sean O'Sullivan couldn't hold a 6-3 lead on Monday night, two nights after Kevin Correia gave up nine runs in a start in Atlanta.