Roberto Hernandez needs to go. Now.

I'm hardly the first to make this observation (for my money, the best Phillies blog out there is Bill Liming's Phillies Fan), but Roberto Hernandez should never be pitching in a situation when the game is on the line. Never.

Take tonight. The Phils' game with the Mets is tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the 11th. Hernandez comes into pitch. Let's review his performance.

First batter - Walk.

Second batter - Fly out to centerfield. This, incidentally, is the hardest hit ball of the inning.

Third batter - Single to centerfield.

Fourth batter - Walk.

At this point, the bases are loaded. There is one out. Hernandez has shown no ability thus far to control at-bats. Worse yet, the winning run is on third base. Let's count the ways the Mets can win this game: a basehit, a deep fly ball, a wild pitch, a passed ball, a softly hit ball in the infield. Let's not forget a walk. After all, Hernandez has already given out two of those in the inning.

There's not too much you can do about a wild pitch or passed ball. They happen.

There's plenty you can do about the other circumstances. In short, you want to keep the ball out of play. And not give up a walk.

Is there anyone in the Phillies bullpen who might be good for this spot? How about one Billy Wagner? You know, the guy whose average under one baserunner per inning. The guy who's striking out 12.33 batters per nine innings. The guy who gets 14 strikeouts for every walk he gives up.

Maybe you'd want him to pitch.

But apparently not. Apparently you leave in a pitcher who has demonstrated a remarkable inability to get outs. Brilliant, simply brilliant.

What happens? Hernandez gives up a hit. Actually, he had a great opportunity to get the force play at the plate. But he throws it in the dirt. More of that pinpoint control that had been on display throughout the inning.

Incidentally, there are now four teams within one game of first place in the National League East. The rest of the summer could prove rather intriguing...

UPDATE: Looks like Bill agrees with me. In far more succinct fashion.