Lannan just plunked Utley and Howard and got tossed by home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.
Wendelstedt was quick to toss the rookie pitcher, unfair actually. The kid was trying to pitch inside, yes, but it didn't appear that he was warned after hitting Utley.
Now Nats manager Manny Acta and Wendelstedt are barking at each other with Wendelstedt pointing toward centerfield, where Howard's third-inning homer landed. Not surprisingly, Acta got tossed and the Nationals now have to go to their depleted bullpen.
Righthander Chris Schroder is the new Nationals pitcher. Schroder has a 1.56 ERA in 11 games. He is not related to the kid who played the piano for the Peanuts cartoon strip.
Ryan Zimmerman boots a potential doubleplay ball loading the bases for Pat Burrell.
Burrell comes through with a two-run single on the first pitch. Schroder gets out of the inning, but the Phils get a little breathing room.
Somebody wrote in wondering how the ump's quick thumbing of Lannan might affect Eaton. Good question. One thing he has to do (obviously) is just throw strikes. He hasn't walked anyone yet.
Comments (5)
Was that intentional? No class. Just because the guy has killed tham with homeruns.... well, that is baseball.
Posted by LB | July 26, 2007 2:33 PM
Posted on July 26, 2007 14:33
And their bullpen has got to be exhausted after last night.
Posted by Anonymous | July 26, 2007 2:34 PM
Posted on July 26, 2007 14:34
No more than ours, Eaton needs to go seven innings, then who knows what we get from our pen.
Posted by John Q | July 26, 2007 2:39 PM
Posted on July 26, 2007 14:39
Make Eaton go 7 or 8 innings, and DO NOT put in Alfonseca!
Posted by Sean M | July 26, 2007 2:41 PM
Posted on July 26, 2007 14:41
It doesn't sound intentional and a warning should have been issued. That said, I hope we light up their bullpen the rest of the way.
Posted by Tom B | July 26, 2007 2:43 PM
Posted on July 26, 2007 14:43