Mackanin irked by Phils’ offensive approach

CHICAGO — After a 4-1 loss to the Cubs on Saturday, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin credited Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, who threw a complete game. But he was more troubled with his hitters, whose inability to find a groove is beginning to prove costly. The Phillies have lost six of eight.

“I feel like we took pitches we should have hit, and we swung at pitches we shouldn’t have swung at,” Mackanin said. “I thought [Hendricks] gave us just enough — not a lot — but just enough pitches out over the plate, and we didn’t capitalize.”

In the past eight games, the Phillies have scored 22 runs. After Friday’s 6-2 defeat, Mackanin faced the question that since feels increasingly pressing — “Are you worried that the offensive shortcomings are starting to catch up with you guys?”

Mackanin didn’t change his expression or alter his tone of voice. He answered in a matter-of-fact fashion.

“I won’t say I’m worried about it,” Mackanin said. “I’ve been conscious of it for the whole season.”

That’s how …

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