Fortunate.
Terribly, ridiculously fortunate.
The Phillies blew an 11-0 lead in the sixth inning last night in an eventual 13-11 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Now, I have covered the Phillies for just five seasons, but I certainly have seen some terrible losses. But there's no question this would have been one of the most wretched in franchise history. Not just because the Phillies had such a commanding lead, but because it would have come with just 12 games to play in the middle of a playoff race.
No team has blown an 11-run lead since Aug. 5, 2001, when Seattle blew a 12-run lead and lost in 14 innings to the Cleveland Indians, 15-14.
Charlie Manuel managed that Indians team.
"I don't know what to say," he said. "That was unreal."
Unreal, but not unbelievable.
But, hey, the Mets played even worse. The Phillies are 2 1/2 games behind the Mets in the NL East with 12 games to play, and 1 1/2 games behind the Padres in the NL wild card.
"I will have some VO tonight when I get back to my room," Manuel said.
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Manuel got some second guessing after pulling Kyle Kendrick after 89 pitches in six innings. He sat in the visitor's dugout before the game, lamenting the fact that J.C. Romero, Tom Gordon and Brett Myers were unavailable last night. Because of that he said he figured Kendrick might throw 100 to 110 pitches, regardless of the situation.
But then he pulled him.
Manuel said Kendrick started to tire in the sixth, getting balls up in the strike zone and allowing three runs to make it 11-3. Kendrick even admitted he had lost his focus. But Kendrick ended the sixth by getting two ground ball outs. Why not have Kendrick start the seventh with an eight-run lead? Even if he struggled, the Phillies still would have had a large enough lead when the bullpen took over. Then again, any bullpen in the world should be able to protect an eight-run lead in the seventh inning.
They almost didn't.
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Aaron Rowand made a fantastic catch to end the eighth inning, and hit a solo homer to left field in the ninth to provide Fabio Castro and Francisco Rosario -- yes, Manuel had to rely on them to pitch the ninth inning -- a little breathing room.
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Can't forget Ryan Howard hit two homers, including a grand slam.
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Jim Salisbury writes about Cole Hamels returning to the mound tonight. Hamels should start three of the Phillies' remaining 12 games this season.
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In this week's Phillies Report we take a look at the schedule's for the Phillies' top competition in the NL East and NL wild card races, and we also look at some historical numbers for Jimmy Rollins.
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A Citizen's Blog talks about the Phillies winning and the Eagles losing. Look on the bright side, maybe there will be fewer Eagles chants next week at Citizens Bank Park. But seriously, relax. It took the Phillies four games to win their first game this season. And now they've won 81. ... Great headline at Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, regarding the Phillies' sweep of the Mets.
Comments (17)
sorry i haven't been here in a while, been busy crying in the basement. i am getting a little scared and maybe i did put my foot in my mouth, but we still have time. the fat lady hasn't sang yet. good wins this weekend, but after last night i wouldn't be putting up any banners yet. it's all love in this blog and GOOD LUCK PHILLY FANS, THANK GOD DONOVAN DOESN'T PITCH FOR YOU GUYS.
Posted by REALMETFAN | September 18, 2007 11:03 AM
Posted on September 18, 2007 11:03
Headline: Phillies outscore Eagles
I think Charlie pulled Castro too soon, too. His left/right splits aren't horrible. You pull Castro for Rosario and what have you got if Rosario can't close it out? Nothing.
Managers need to stop and consider that even if he's not perfect, a reliever in the game, warm, adjusted to the mound has a better shot at throwing strikes than a marginal relieve coming in from the pen.
If you are a Phillies pitcher, how do you make eye contact with any of the everyday players?
Rowand's catch saved the season. If that ball drops, game over in such a crushing way even this team can't recover.
Hamels' return is good timing. I hope he can deliver at least 6 solid innings.
Posted by Joe in Haddonfield | September 18, 2007 11:48 AM
Posted on September 18, 2007 11:48
Horrible thing to follow on the computer... yet they won. 12 more to go. Hoping for a Diamondbacks fade, Padres overtake them, then we slide in for the WC. Or more. Nothing wrong with being greedy, right?
Posted by John in LA | September 18, 2007 12:15 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 12:15
PS: Kudos to Howard, Rowand and Banyan.
Posted by John in LA | September 18, 2007 12:16 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 12:16
Metfan, We all know the feeling, the crazy ups and downs, in the sport of baseball. I enjoy the banter between fans, its all good. As I've said in the past, this month of September, is the best part of the season In a close playoff run. Every at bat, pitching changes, scrutiny , emotional highs n lows,everybody' a coach, WOW. bandwagon jumpers..... We'll be gentle ,with you for now, we can't kick a man when he's, down, but were not gone to pick you up, either. Your still (3) up in loss column. Were chasing (3) teams now, Mets, S D, Ariz...Enjoy the ride, and remember to hold onto the wheel.. P-H-I-L-L-I-E-S, PHILLIES... Now let's hear the Eagle fans. P-H-I-L-L-I-E-S...PHILLIES. YAAAAAAHHHH
Posted by Pat H | September 18, 2007 12:18 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 12:18
Hey Todd--
Since you're in the journalistic position to do so, why don't you ask Phillies management why on earth they haven't made more september callups? there are guys in the system who, i would guess, may have done better work that condrey and mesa last night. Julio Mateo? JA Happ? Bisenius? Why hasn't anyone been given a chance? Isn't that part of september baseball? Especially in a 12-3 lead? You're the beat writer, ask the questions. The fans want some answers... The best offense in the league does not deserve such uncaring treatment. Not to mention guys like hamels, kendrick, sometimes lohse and moyer, who manage to pitch great games only to watch them spoiled by a mostly horrendous bullpen. C'mon Todd, ask some questions.
Posted by mark | September 18, 2007 12:42 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 12:42
I think it bears mentioning that Russell Branyan has come up big for us both as a Phillie and as a Cardinal! Thanks, Russell!
Posted by Clare | September 18, 2007 12:50 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 12:50
I know the organization refuses to bring Julio Mateo up to the big league level because they think it'll be a PR debacle, but after last night, surely they might reconsider. So, as a woman and a long-suffering Phillies fan, I hereby BEG THE PHILLIES TO BRING UP MATEO!
am i crazy? probably. but we're close enough that crazy just feels like the right move...
Posted by CubeHostage | September 18, 2007 1:35 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 13:35
TODD, Has anyone ever, had these great all around stats,that JRoll has put up, in recent history.The Phila media needs to push this into national spotlite.Please, give me a name of anyone, that has even come close to these numbers. I can't think of anybody.......Fielding included.....
Posted by Pat H | September 18, 2007 1:42 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 13:42
The decision to remove Kendrick is just more proof that the Phillies need a REAL manager. Besides the fact that Myers, Gordon and Romero -- the only 3 relievers who seem to be reliable lately -- were "unavailable," they already knew that Cole Hamels will be limited to 65 or so pitches tonight. So, knowing in advance that three relievers are overworked and that they'll need more innings the following night, WHY would anyone with a working brain decide that Kendrick couldn't at least start the seventh inning?
Posted by Joe | September 18, 2007 4:06 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 16:06
The decision to remove Kendrick is just more proof that the Phillies need a REAL manager. Besides the fact that Myers, Gordon and Romero -- the only 3 relievers who seem to be reliable lately -- were "unavailable," they already knew that Cole Hamels will be limited to 65 or so pitches tonight. So, knowing in advance that three relievers are overworked and that they'll need more innings out of the bullpen the following night, WHY would anyone with a working brain decide that Kendrick couldn't at least start the seventh inning? Oh wait, I forgot, we don't HAVE a manager with a working brain.
Posted by Joe | September 18, 2007 4:07 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 16:07
Mark and Joe are right on.
Give the young guys a chance. I can't stomach another appearance by Mesa and Condrey. I will give Alfonseca a break since he has been decent during stretches this season. But he is out of gas too.
Kendrick should have been in there in the 7th. I could see removing him if the game was in May, but he deserved to be out there for one more inning.
We have 12 games to go. Let's welcome Cole back tonight with some early run support.
Posted by Murph | September 18, 2007 4:30 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 16:30
So we're going to rip on the manager that has kept this team up to play just about everyday with that dreck they call a bullpen? Did Manuel pull him too early, yea. But if you're bullpen can't hold and 12-3 lead, you don't deserve to make the playoffs.
Posted by Ed S. | September 18, 2007 4:49 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 16:49
If you have very little to work with, you have to make the right moves to maximize what little you have. This "manager" makes the wrong moves too many times.
Posted by Joe | September 18, 2007 6:58 PM
Posted on September 18, 2007 18:58
Late nite. But while you were all sleeping...
Posted by John in LA | September 19, 2007 1:18 AM
Posted on September 19, 2007 01:18
This team is going to do something special. I don't know how, but I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Posted by Robbie | September 19, 2007 1:52 AM
Posted on September 19, 2007 01:52
Guys, cut Manual some slack. Every pitch Kendrick throws is a new record for him, we need him fresh for his next 2 starts (and hopefully some postseason action). How would YOU like to have to make choices every night from that menu out in the bullpen? With what is going on out there, you can second guess him every night. And be right half the time. He's on the same suicide watch we all are when the bullpen is involved.
Now if you want to second guess him for keeping Eaton in the rotation, I'm with you.
Posted by jimmymack | September 19, 2007 8:39 AM
Posted on September 19, 2007 08:39