Tommy Hunter: Actually bad.

But we all know this by now, and it was on display yet again last night in the 2-1 loss to the Red Sox. Hunter gave up a solo bomb to Brock Holt in the top of the eighth for the go-ahead run.

The loss shouldn’t be Hunter’s fault, however. Once again, pin the blame on an offense that got only two hits, both of them coming in the fifth. Rhys Hoskins got his 23rd homer of the season and Odubel Herrera singled off Rick Porcello. And that was it.

Porcello lasted seven innings and gave up those two hits and one run to go along with 10 strikeouts. On the other end, Nick Pivetta nearly matched him in terms of dominance. The righty went six innings and gave up three hits and a run with six strikeouts and a walk. That was wasted because of a no-show from the offense and Tommy Hunter.

The team’s struggles are coming at the worst time. The Braves are up two games on the Phils in the NL East, but the team does hold the second Wild Card spot by a game. As for the Atlanta, Ronald Acuna Jr. has been on a tear, with three lead off home runs in three straight games.

The team takes on Boston one more time tonight at 7:05 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia and nationally on ESPN. Vince Velasquez hopes to stop the bleeding. There’s also still time to bet on tonight’s game.

The team also made a couple of roster moves. They optioned J.P. Crawford to Triple-A and brought back Hector Neris and also traded Jake Thompson to the Brewers for cash considerations.

The Roundup:


Start your day off with a brand new edition of the Crossing Broadcast.

In gambling news, Resorts casino is opening its sportsbook today.


Training Camp wrapped up yesterday at NovaCare with a light 10-10-10 practice. Not a ton of notable events while practice happened, but plenty of new info once players and coaches talked.

The biggest piece of news was Carson Wentz saying he hoped to participate in 11-on-11 drills next week, even though he said it was “going to be close” if he would play week 1.

“That’s what I felt really offseason,” Wentz said after today’s practice. “We’ve talked about it a ton. That’s been my goal. It’s no secret that it’s going to be close. We’ve seen where I’m at in camp and hopefully next week doing 11-on-11. I think, naturally, it’s going to be close. Ultimately, it won’t be my call, the coach’s call, ultimately, it’ll be up to the doctors.”

Wentz said he’s no more or less optimistic than he was at the start of training camp about his chances to play Week 1. That’s probably a good sign, that things are progressing according to plan.

Even though Wentz will be back in full-team drills next week, he still won’t be cleared for contact. That will be the last hurdle to get over. Wentz said his knee has responded well all training camp.

What does he want to show Pederson during 11-on-11s next week?

“I think hopefully just show him that I look comfortable and I look confident,” he said. “And I know I will. The reps I have gotten, I feel confident in both my knee and this team and the offense and everything. Hopefully, I can just jump back into where I left off.”

Doug Pederson also sorta denied a report that Alshon Jeffery would start the season on the PUP list.

Which players impressed and which guys failed to impress during training camp?

After camp, the team continued to treat the rookies with respect:

Veteran running back Matt Jones is ready to get the bulk of the carries Thursday night against the Patriots.

Since then he has been cut by the Redskins, and signed and waived three times by the Colts. He came to the Eagles looking to rekindle his promise, having only turned 25 in March, but a hip pointer in an early live practice set Jones back. He did not play in last Thursday’s preseason opener, in which undrafted rookie Adams opened some eyes with 30 yards on just six carries.

Jones was eager to come here, having grown up in Florida as a fan of Duce Staley’s running style. Now Staley is the Eagles running backs coach.

“Amazing coach. I think one of the best, by far, I’ve ever been around,” Jones said. He said Staley “will coach you hard” but at heart is “a players’ coach” who understands the obstacles his charges face.

Finally, there’s an Eagles billboard up in Foxborough.


Despite some people not wanting Jamal Crawford on the Sixers, it might be a necessary add.

This is a nice painting of Ben Simmons.

https://twitter.com/JtheHardy/status/1029384426227228672

He also had some things to say about a Dime Magazine post that he could shoot with his right hand next season.

He also joined the Late Late Show with James Corden:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmfOJUQnb7z/?taken-by=bensimmons


The Flyers will be on national TV 17 times this season, one up from last year.


The Wings hired assistant coaches:


In other sports news, the University of Maryland accepted responsibility for the death of Jordan McNair. They also parted ways with Rick Court, the school’s assistant athletic director for sports performance, and head coach DJ Durkin is still on administrative leave.

Browns fans are getting free beer… if the team wins a game this year.

Is Dwyane Wade playing one more year?

The Redskins released veteran corner Orlando Scandrick.

Geoff Mosher‘s time at 97.5 The Fanatic is done.


In the news, the Schuylkill has looked like a garbage dump thanks to all the rain the city just got.

The mom known for sending her son off to prom in a lavish fashion was indicted for social security fraud.

More than 300 priests in Pennsylvania’s Catholic dioceses have been accused of sexual abuse of more than 1,000 child victims.