Un-freaking-believable, huh?
Where to start?
How about Phillies righthander Brett Myers, who strained his right shoulder in the ninth inning of last night's memorable 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium. Myers said he hopes to miss a couple days, but I would bet on a trip to the disabled list. The Phillies can't afford to push Myers too quickly, so they will be cautious. That means righthanders Antonio Alfonseca or Ryan Madson step into the closer's role because Tom Gordon, who is on the DL with inflammation in his right shoulder, has shown no indications he's even close to returning in the near future. Gordon won't even throw a baseball until next week at the earliest.
We will learn more about Myers today.
How about Rod Barajas?
He moved out of his crouch in front of home plate in the ninth inning, and it allowed Hanley Ramirez to score the tying run through the five-hole. Charlie Manuel said, "If he can, he smothers the guy." But Barajas said he wanted to avoid the contact. His explanation: "I caught the ball down low and I wasn't sure what he was going to do. I didn't want to get down low and have him take a good shot at me and maybe knock the ball out. I just wanted to make sure I was in a good position."
I wonder how that explanation will play in Philadelphia, especially after centerfielder Aaron Rowand broke his face making a remarkable catch last season. Rowand's explanation for risking his health to make that catch is played before the Phillies take the field at Citizens Bank Park: "For who? My teammates. For what? To win."
It's a strange thing. Barajas and just about everybody else in the Phillies clubhouse said that home umpire Tim Timmons should have called out Ramirez because the throw from Jayson Werth arrived so early. That must be an unwritten baseball code because I think the tag needs to be made. In my opinion, replay shows Timmons made the right call, although Barajas and others said it wasn't conclusive. But it wouldn't have gotten to that point if Barajas had just blocked the plate.
How about Greg Dobbs? He threw home when there was no play at the plate. Dan Uggla scored to make it 7-6, but Dobbs' mistake allowed Ramirez reach first. What was Dobbs thinking?
"I wasn't," Dobbs said.
"There you go," said Rowand, who was trying his best to pick up Dobbs' spirits. (He even hugged it out with Dobbs at one point.) "And you can quote him."
"Quote it. Print it," Dobbs said. "What was Dobbs thinking? I wasn't."
"Everything slowed down. As I released the ball I went, 'Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? What are you doing?' Afterward I was so disgusted with myself I just started walking in circles. I still can't grasp what I did."
"The only reason I can laugh at you right now is because you (messed) up and we won," Rowand said. "That's why I can laugh at you right now."
*
Why was Myers in the game? The simple explanation is that because he hadn't pitched since Sunday and already had warmed up before the Phillies scored their third run in the top of the ninth to make it a non-save situation. But there's no question that decision will come under scrutiny today.
I'll have more on that later.
*
Lost in the shuffle after the Phillies survived their ninth-inning meltdown: Chase Utley went 3 for 5 with a triple, home run, two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk, and Michael Bourn finally made his first big-league start. Oh, and Ryan Howard also went deep in a rehab start for single-A Lakewood.
Comments (11)
Dobbs had a brain cramp for sure but Barajas won't be forgiven so easily. The replay was conclusive and he flat out chickened out on contact. So now he is no hit and no field. I am still confused on why Coste doesn't get the occasional start, he certanly has shown he can hit and he took contact last year. Barajas is showing it was a mistake signing him. And what's up with the lame mindset that because the ball got there, he should have been called out? Winners dont' make excuses like that, I hope that Manual or the coaches climb up Barajas' butt for this gutless play and remind the players that a tag play requires the tag before the runner touches the base. It was a win but I am disgusted by the wimp mentality that Barajas and the players show in their comments.
Posted by jimmy mack | May 24, 2007 8:48 AM
Posted on May 24, 2007 08:48
Barajas: "Since we won the game, we can look back and laugh at some of those plays."
I don't know how he can laugh - because he wimped out, the team's closer will probably be on the DL.
He should be cut immediately.
Posted by Jon | May 24, 2007 9:32 AM
Posted on May 24, 2007 09:32
Smoke my pole Barajas
Posted by Philadelphia | May 24, 2007 9:35 AM
Posted on May 24, 2007 09:35
it's hard to get too excited about the phils starting to turn it around when everyone knew the few competent pitchers on the team were going to get hurt through overuse. meyers now, geary will be next, followed by hamels. i know charlie doesn't have much to work with but you can't survive long throwing the same 2 guys out of the bullpen nearly every game.
meanwhile the only guy who is not coming back next year (garcia) is the guy they are being careful with. if garcia wants to throw 140 pitches a start, let him. if you have guys in the bullpen that you don't trust at all (hernandez and condrey) give someone else at AAA a try.
Posted by mike | May 24, 2007 10:50 AM
Posted on May 24, 2007 10:50
I was yelling at the tv ""What are you doing? It's a non save, he's going to get hurt!" When Charie brought in Myers. Charlie has to go.
He's so afraid of getting fired he's bringing Myers in every game to get a win no matter the score in May. Where is his common sense?!!
He doesnt have a strong hand to deal but he is still making things worse. UGHHH!
Guess Madson will be tapped out next.
Posted by Jay | May 24, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on May 24, 2007 10:56
This phillies team mirrors its manager (and owners) DUMB!!!
Posted by eric | May 24, 2007 10:57 AM
Posted on May 24, 2007 10:57
It's time. Let's get Charlie out of town - see if he can give Barajas a ride too. A disgrace.
Posted by Tom | May 24, 2007 11:17 AM
Posted on May 24, 2007 11:17
Charlie's gotta go... Why bring in your closer in a non-save opportunity??? I could see if Myers hasn't picthed in a week and you want him to get some work in...
Posted by Chris | May 24, 2007 11:43 AM
Posted on May 24, 2007 11:43
There are a couple of people to blame for myers getting hurt facing batters he shouldn't have but Honestly I saw that injury coming. After dobbs mistake, you could clearly see that Myers was upset and he was doing things way too fast. i kept thinking to myself, someone better settle him down before he hurts himself because he was pitching way too fast and throwing to first like a bat out of hell and his face was almost blood red. Players and coaches pick the stupidest times for mound visits, but when a pitcher needs to slow things down and refocus, there was no one there to tell him that. Also, how bout that bee-bee right at Condrey. if that would have hit him and knocked him out, then you really would know that this team clearly has bad luck or is haunted or something.
Posted by Tg | May 24, 2007 12:18 PM
Posted on May 24, 2007 12:18
I personally think the way this team plays is a reflection of it's manager. I was against the move to put Myers in the bullpen from the start and I am still against it. I thought it would be late July or August before he would break down. Charlie is trying to save his job by putting one of our better SP's in the bullpen. I think Myers/Hamels could be the best 1/2 punch in the NL. Myers getting hurt should get Charlie fired ASAP! Barajas for being a chicken $hit should sit the bench for a long time or released ASAP!
Posted by Joe | May 24, 2007 1:48 PM
Posted on May 24, 2007 13:48
It's been a while since a play has made me as angry as Barajas dumb move. A little leaguer could of made that tag. I couldn't believe I saw him stand up and let him slide underneath.
Posted by john | May 24, 2007 2:22 PM
Posted on May 24, 2007 14:22