Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
by dajafi on Oct 3, 2007 6:15 PM EDT
in News
Email
PrintTip your cap: Jeff Francis pitched six very strong innings, Todd Helton hit his 5th (!) career triple against the Phillies, Matt Holliday out-MVP'd Jimmy Rollins, and Colorado took its second ever playoff victory.
On the Phils' side, heroes were fewer to come by: Cole Hamels was brilliant but for the one awful inning, and Aaron Rowand and Pat Burrell hit solo home runs. Throw J.C. Romero and Brett Myers in there for scoreless relief work if you so choose.
Charlie Manuel made a couple mistakes. One, Jayson Werth should have been in to start the game--and probably should have been pinch-hit for Victorino with a man on second and two out in the 5th--considering how he hits lefties. Two, Michael Bourn absolutely had to steal the base with one out in the bottom of the 7th, a slow-to-the-plate righty on the mound, and a weak-armed catcher behind the plate.
But mostly this was Jeff Francis's day--and he did it at the expense of the Phils' offensive superstars. Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard were a combined 0 for 11 with a walk and eight strikeouts, and it's a rare day that the Phils can win without any contribution from those three.
Back at 'em tomorrow when rookie Kyle Kendrick takes the hill for as a close to a must-win as you can get without facing elimination.
20 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
(Not that I thought the Incredible Expanding Strike Zone cost the Phils the game--but it didn't help.)
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
But this was all about the top of the Phillies lineup. When it doesn't get on base, the team isn't going to score. After all, the team hasn't won a game scoring only 2 runs all year.
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
by Seth @ The Good Phight on Oct 4, 2007 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
this game should definitely not be blamed on the umps - howard probably would have struck out anyway,and I didn't find the calls to be too one-sided.
definitely agree with you about bourne.
I'm not sure this has as much to do with Francis as he is getting credit for. Rollins and Utley both had a bunch of ugly swings, and I really hope it doesn't carry over to tomorrow's game.
I know it was a must-win type game, but should there be any second guessing about using myers? I thought flash was pitching well and could have easily finished off the 8th, where Romero could have done the ninth. After Rollins/Vic/Utley all crumpled in the 8th, it really seemed like we were out of it and I'm not sure bringing in Myers to take care of the bottom of the order was really necessary.
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
and why not? it's easy to say in retrospect, oh, they all quit after the eighth. but why would you risk it? with this team, two runs - even against a good pitcher - should be no reason to throw in the towel.
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
by FTN414 on Oct 3, 2007 9:27 PM EDT reply actions
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
Not smart to not split Howard and Utley with Burrell and it burned them. Not that it burned them with a lefty, but that they took Francis out and brought in a righty to pitch to Burrell. If he splits the lefties you either gotta make 2 moves or let him hit against the lefty. Burrell ended up popping up on the first pitch. That was a significant bad move that would probably not be noticed.
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
Hawkins is very quick to the plate on his fastball--1.12 to 1.18 according to Manuel. Manuel said he is a little slower sometimes on his breaking pitches, but sending Bourne means you have to be able to guess teh breaking pitch or he's pretty much a dead duck on any decent throw. 1.12-8 is VERY quick.
This is essentially the answer manuel gave post-game.
Werth should have started--they have too much respect for Victorino's speed, which ain't useful heading back to the bench. And Burrell absolutely has to split the lefties v Colorado given Fuentes' effectiveness v both Utley and Howard.
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
Charlie made some mistakes, but they're pretty nitpicky. This team just couldn't hit today. Werth would have been a better choice than Victorino, but it's not like Victorino's some sort of slouch, plus Werth has been a little bit cold lately.
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
Gotta hope he'll do the smart thing tomorrow and go with the Burrell 3rd/Werth 6th lineup.
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
There is always the distinct possibility that both pitchers will look like the minor leaguers they were not so long ago under the pressure of the big stage. In which case we might see the slugfest that everyone is predicting.
I agree with everyone who has said this is a must win game and I don't know about you all, but tomorrow is too soon for this to be over.
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
(and, remind me, how did the last team that lost a playoff game to the Rockies, end up doing overall that year?)
Re: Postgame: Rockies 4, Phillies 2
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Next Game
Philadelphia Phillies
@
Chicago Cubs
Thursday, May 17, 2012, 8:05 PM EDT
Wrigley Field
Mostly clear. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 65.
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Gary Sinise’s first pitch was not worthy of an Oscar
- Photo: Yu Darvish gets a big head, lowers his ERA to 2.60
- The Juice: Another Albert Pujols home run sighted, Orioles beat Royals in 15
- Will Rhymes faints after getting hit in arm with pitch, but he’s OK
- Jamie Moyer legs out infield single, drives in two runs
