Really: Mets 1, Phillies 0

by dajafi on May 7, 2009 12:42 AM EDT

I'm guessing that if you had polled one hundred Phillies fans beforehand about their expectations for Wednesday's contest against the Mets, you would have gotten upwards of ninety variations on "they're gonna get smoked." New York was sending to the mound all-world lefty ace Johan Santana, off to perhaps the best start of his superlative career; the Phils countered with Chan Ho Park, presumably pitching for his job after a miserable first month of the season during which he put up an 8.57 ERA.

The Phils did ultimately lose the game, but the way we got there was far more surprising than a victory would have been. Park was magnificent for six innings, matching Santana zero for zero... but the usually sure-handed Phillies committed three errors, the last and most costly of which came in the seventh inning with two outs and Carlos Delgado at first base. Pinch-hitter Fernando Tatis stood in against Chad Durbin, and shattered his bat with a soft grounder that slowly made its way toward third base. Rather than putting it in his pocket, Pedro Feliz made an ill-advised throw to first... and airmailed it. As the ball headed into foul territory down the right-field line, Delgado--who recently returned from a hip injury and isn't much of a runner even in perfect condition--ran through a stop sign at third base. But Jayson Werth inexplicably hesitated before firing home, and Delgado beat Carlos Ruiz's tag. The unearned run was the first against the Phillies in 2009.

That was all the Mets needed, thanks mostly to Santana. He held the Phillies to two hits and three walks (two to Park) over seven innings, striking out ten, and lowered his ERA for the season to 0.90. Again, though, Park was right there with him, holding the Mets hitless for 4 2/3 innings and leaving after six frames with one hit and two walks against five strikeouts. Working mostly with a low-90s fastball and a biting slider, he faced the minimum number of batters through the first four innings in turning in the best start of any Phillies pitcher on the season.

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I questioned

the decision not to bunt Ibanez over the 3rd in the 6th (I believe). In a game like that, you need to get him over.

by Screen Name 20 on May 7, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

That probably would have been a good decision, particularly considering how awful Feliz’s at-bat proved to be… though I don’t know if he’s a very accomplished bunter. Kind of doubting it.

The real ugly moment in that inning was when Manuel went to the bench to PH for Park, and couldn’t find a better option against Santana than Eric Bruntlett. I guess there must have been a more predictable three-pitch strikeout in baseball history, but I can’t think of it.

by dajafi on May 7, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

It’s troubling when our best right-handed PH option is Bruntlett.

by Screen Name 20 on May 7, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

PF had three sac bunts last year, for what it’s worth. Not sure how many opportunities.

by taco pal on May 7, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

hmm

That shows at least that he knows how to do it. In that situation—leadoff man on second, no outs, scoreless game, getting late, superior pitcher on the mound, non-elite hitter at the plate—you pretty much have to sacrifice, no?

by dajafi on May 7, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

At least that’s my thinking. My guess is they’d probably pull the infield in and who knows, that grounder to short might sneak through a pulled-in infield.

by Screen Name 20 on May 7, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

On the merits, I could go either way. I’m generally opposed to bunting runners from second to third. Late in a tied game, though, it’s more defensible.

by taco pal on May 7, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I question every time the phillies decide to waste outs.

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on May 7, 2009 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

you must have a multitude of questions daily in that case…

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on May 7, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I was at the game yesterday and it was intense. The philly turn out was outstanding. Section 503 was probably half phillies fans. Mets fans are by far the stupidest people I have ever come across.

When was the last time Ryan Howard got a clutch hit with two outs?

www.okupy.com

by royboy on May 7, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions