Blue Magic: Astros 3, Phillies 2
by WholeCamels on Aug 23, 2010 11:26 PM EDT
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PrintThe top of the eighth inning of tonight's game will be a memorable one, as it saw a close play and a controversial call at first base on a bunt by Michael Bourn, and ultimately determined the outcome of the game.
Leading off the eighth, Bourn dragged a bunt up the first base line. Ryan Howard fielded it and, attempting to tag Bourn, caused the centerfielder to run out of the baseline. Howard himself even claims that a successful tag was made. Nonetheless, umpire Greg Gibson called Bourn safe, and Manager Charlie Manuel was ejected in the ensuing argument. Bourn would eventually go on to score the tying run with two outs in the eighth on a two run bloop single from Carlos Lee, as the Astros behind Brett Myers defeated the Phillies 3-2.
Phillies starter Joe Blanton was actually terrific, after his now-standard first inning clusterfart. He allowed a single first inning run, then no more runs in his seven innings pitched. He struck out a season high nine, and issued no walks.
The Phillies' offensive onslaught came in the third inning, on a Carlos Ruiz solo home run, and an RBI single from Chase Utley.
In one of the more exasperating moments of the game, Jayson Werth was picked off second base after an intentional walk to Carlos Ruiz. Apparently not paying attention, Werth was caught napping by Astros' catcher Humberto Quintero, who fired the ball to second. Great stuff.
Ugly, frustrating loss. But this was the worst pitching matchup in the series. Salvage possible.
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Really? I thought it was frustrating, for sure, but not painful. I felt it coming after the Werth nap.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Me too— I didn’t even know that it was possible to be picked off on an intentional walk!
by dannijd on Aug 23, 2010 11:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Possibly more painful just by being the most recent. Every loss hurts at the time, but to put this in the top five (out of 54) seems exaggerated. The hitting wasn’t there but they weren’t shut out. Starting pitching was decent. Runs against the bulpen were a little flukey, but they weren’t from walks or errors. I got home after the game ended so maybe I missed the worst aspects as they happened . One thing I did react to was when I looked at MLB Network’s list of top performers and saw Myers on there and Blanton wasn’t – now that was annoying.
by phillyinportland on Aug 24, 2010 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I do not know how much I agree with your assessment of the hitting— it was not there in a stringing hits together sense, but after three games in which the team came up with a combined 12 hits, I have a hard time saying that the hitting was not there when the team came up with double digit (10) hits- what they were missing was smart base running (Jayson Werth… how in the name of all that is good in baseball do you get picked off on an INTENTIONAL walk?).
I would go a step farther regarding the starting pitching— Blanton did really well tonight. Granted he got out of the first with only one run scored in part because of some really good defense, but after that, he pitched really well— 9 K’s in seven full innings pitched without allowing any more runs— a pretty great day for him.
The most infuriating thing about this game in some ways is the sense that the team was robbed of a much needed win- Howard TAGGED Bourn— it does not even really matter whether he was out of the baseline or not. But the one person with the angle to see that was not even consulted. Now there is no way of knowing what would have happened had Bourn been out. It is possible that the next hitter hits a two run homer, or that the Astros play some smart small ball that leads to them either tying or winning the game. It is just as possible (and maybe more probable) that Madson gets the third out without any runs scoring and the Phillies go on to win.
Oh well, this game is done, and while the Phillies got jobbed today, I am sure that there have been at least a close call or two (the one coming to mind being the “foul” ball in the ninth inning of the Marlins game) that have went in their favor in the past, and that will go their way in the future. Tomorrow is another game… and a chance for Hamels to finally get post all-star break win number one (and yes, I know that wins for pitchers is a BS stat, but I would still love to see him get the win— it would mean that the offense at least nominally showed up for one of his starts).
of course they did
The Phillies lost, therefore so do the Braves.
by PhilsForever on Aug 24, 2010 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Makes this loss much more bearable however with SF vs. Cards we’re going to lose ground in the WC… I understand the goal is the division and home field thought the playoffs but having a strangle hold on the WC and the division out of reach could almost help the team in the long run. Think about this with 5 games left in the season Phillies are 4 games back of the Division and 5 games up in the WC so what you do is you throw out the non ACEs and get the big 3 a few days rest to on top. If you’re out of it you’re out of it and, By getting the Rotation in order I just don’t see a team in the NL that can hang with Halladay, Hamels and, Oswalt. Then you can pitch Halladay on 4 days rest I’m not sure if Chuck will but, if there is any pitcher in baseball who can do it’s there as an option. Now you throw out Blanton who as seen tonight can still give you not just quality starts but, still go on 4 days it’s has a few gems left in him. I’m sure if he’s needed to make a start in a playoff he’ll be ready to rock and roll.
Hey Dez, it's 2am do you know where your mother is?
by sowhatifitisasportste on Aug 24, 2010 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Braves Scare me and here's why
Now this is just my prospective but, I’ve been very impressed with the way the Braves have managed the roster over the last few years in getting the pitching rotation that is good enough to win not only in the regular season but, the playoffs as well add in a closer that may not be top tier but damn close they have a chance to win every game. I do question not going out and getting a big time bat before the trade deadline someone like a Prince Fielder from a team that isn’t in the hunt and looking to build for the future.
When you look at the formula for winning in the postseason it’s 1 top tier pitcher Ex. Sabathia, Cliff Lee someone along those lines and 2 more really good pitchers who on any given day can go out and give you 7 shutout innings (and this is the part that scares me most about facing the Braves in post season) Hanson and Jurrjens fit that mold. Add in a closer who is 30 for 37 maybe not the definition of lights out but definitely a top 5 guy in the NL.
I’m not a believer in the Padres or the Reds I don’t know why they just don’t seem like they have the grit to perform under pressure and, win a game when it counts. That being said this last week I’ve watched Braves win 2 or 3 games in the 8th or 9th and, once again as a Phillies fan I don’t like watching a team build that type of confidence late in the season. The road the WS is going to be going through the EAST and as a long time Baseball fan (Since 2003 watching the game I could) I remember the years when it was almost a given that ATL was going to win the division and, to not only watch but, be in the tick of a pennant race this late in the season is something newer fans don’t really appreciate.
With that being said,
I want to thank the Braves, for making Baseball exciting every day from praying for rain every time Kendrick or, Blanton takes the mound, hoping a .500 baseball team can throw a monkey wrench into the Braves plans to win the division, to scoreboard watching before during and, after the game. I don’t know about the rest of the Baseball fans but, I’m looking forward to the last Series with the Braves. That’s going to be for the Division and, possibly home field advantage through the postseason.
Postscript,
It was fun watching the Muts fall apart just after the trade deadline throwing away their playoff hopes and best chance to build for the future.
Hey Dez, it's 2am do you know where your mother is?
by sowhatifitisasportste on Aug 24, 2010 3:53 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
rec'd
"Based on stereotypes that are totally untrue and I do not agree with, you would maybe-not be a very good driver..."
"Oh man am I a woman?!"
by Scott Coleman on Aug 24, 2010 5:40 AM EDT up reply actions
From my couch it seemed like bourn was closer to the 3 foot mark at the bottom of your drawing. In that case – OUT!!!!
by AtownPhillie on Aug 23, 2010 11:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This sounds like it was a frustrating game. However, isn’t kendrick vs. wandy rodriguez on thursday the worst pitching matchup of the series?
2 things:
- Are the Phillies even capable of winning a game when the Braves lose?
- Is it just me, or was this offense putting up more points when the “stars” were out of the line-up? Utley has been decent, but Howard has been nothing but a strikeout machine since he came back and replaced the productive Gload/Sweeney.
- How do you think the Phillies went from 6 1/2 games out to 2 1/2 games out— must have won some when the Braves lost!
- Howard “produced” (RBI Ground Out) the lone run in Saturday’s crapfest, so I am not complaining too much about him, either. That being said… Small Sample Size- Utley has only been back a week, and the Phillies have went 4-3 in that time period (23 runs scored, 17 with Utley in the lineup, for an average of just over three per game). Howard has only been back three games and the Phillies are 1-2 in that time period. (9 runs scored for an average of three per game). During the time period both were out (7/31 (I am counting Howard’s DL stint as starting here since he was off for this game, and did not play a meaningful portion of 8/1’s game)- 8/15 70 runs were scored in 14 games for an average of 5 per game. So yes, the patchwork lineup was scoring more than the “star charged” lineup.
As for Howard, his first multi-strikeout game since returning was tonight. He had only one strikeout in each of his first two games back, and had a hit in each of his first two games back. Granted the power has not been there, but to call him a strikeout machine is going a little bit far.
- The Phillies have played good baseball. They have won their games and, from what I can tell aren’t watching what the Braves are doing. With that being said they need to win their games if they are going to have a shot at making the post season.
- Howard Produced, but not to the level he is capable of. Every time he steps to the plate he’s a threat to go yard and if you remember Post ASB he was the entire team’s offence. Having multiple games where he hit a HR or 2. He’ll get his stroke back but, I don’t think he’s looking to park every pitch like he sees.
- Howard’s strike outs seem to come when he’s looking to touch em all. I wouldn’t mind seeing him hit singles and doubles the rest of the season. He can win games by himself but, with the team playing “Small ball” a more consistent Howard would do wonders for this club.
Hey Dez, it's 2am do you know where your mother is?
by sowhatifitisasportste on Aug 24, 2010 3:32 AM EDT up reply actions
First off, in baseball it’s called a run, not a point.
And secondly, it does take a little bit for guys to get their timing back after coming off the DL. I am sure Howard will be fine in a game or two.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
- This is a coincidence.
- Give Howard some time, he hasn’t played in weeks. He’ll bust out any day now. His injury was especially unfortunate, because he was tearing it up before that. And you can expect Howard to be more productive than Gload/Sweeney from here on out…considering that half that dynamic duo is on the DL and the other half is a great guy but not an offensive powerhouse (and probably wouldn’t have made that diving catch in the ninth last night, like the Strikeout Machine did).
Just sayin’.
"Clever girl."
by LeepinLizardz on Aug 24, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess this mess is payback for the botched call in Florida.
Looking forward to the Kevin Kolb era.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
May be… The universe has strange ways of evening things out.
by dannijd on Aug 24, 2010 9:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So I see the postgame loss commentary is arrayed in all of its tinfoil-hatt’d glory today. Don’t worry, Brett Myers really was out to get you last night.
What you have all failed to realize is that Carlos Ruiz has perhaps the single-best statistical month-long runup to his bobblehead giveaway night than any other Phillie.
Go ’head, prove me wrong, and Chooch bobblehaid me 2-nite!
WholeCamels, Bourn didn’t lead off the inning. The inning started off with a single by Jason Micheals. Bourn scored the winning run, not the tying run. No big deal or anything, just suprising that everyone missed this.
my bad
MLB.tv actually froze right before the Michaels at-bat, so I didn’t see any of this shit.
http://www.thegoodphight.com
by WholeCamels on Aug 24, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Managing the 9th
No commentary yet on Pete’s managing of the 9th inning?
I’ll start then…
I don’t agree.
I already said it in the game thread- the only way I would forgive him for not pinch hitting Valdez was if Polanco was only available in an emergency due to a re-occurrence of elbow problems. In that situation he needs to stay in in case we tie. If not, I would have left Ruiz in, and used some combo of Polanco and Francisco in the next two spots.
by dannijd on Aug 24, 2010 12:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I was wondering along the same lines...
Why pinch run for Ruiz but then let Valdez bat?
Offensively, I don’t get it.
Would only seem to make sense if no one else could take up 3rd base defensively.
And Ruiz represented the potential tying run, not the winning run, didn’t he?
Ruiz was the tying run. The only way their decision makes sense is if they were playing to tie the game, or if Polanco absolutely could not play the field.
by dannijd on Aug 24, 2010 5:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
if howard throws the ball to first
he gets bourne out and this argument is for naught
by Delaware Boiler on Aug 24, 2010 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
And considering where Bourn was running andadson’s angle coming at it, there is a far greater risk that a throw winds up in right field and runs score or runners wind up on second an third with no out. Does the fact the ump blew it suck, yes? Did Ryan do the wrong thing, probably not.
by dannijd on Aug 24, 2010 12:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And considering where Bourn was running and Madson’s angle coming at it, there is a far greater risk that a throw winds up in right field and runs score or runners wind up on second an third with no out. Does the fact the ump blew it suck, yes? Did Ryan do the wrong thing, probably not.
by dannijd on Aug 24, 2010 12:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nah
Watching the replay, Howard has him easily with a toss to first. the bunt was hit pretty hard towards first. he had plenty of time to make the throw… more time then he did to try and outrun Bourne to a spot!
Wrong decision (but also a blown call by the Umpire)
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