Fine, Be That Way: Cardinals 4, Phillies 2 (11)
by lizroscher on Sep 17, 2011 12:26 AM EDT
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There's really no reaction to tonight's game other than "Ew." The game was just not great. In just so many ways. Vance Worley labored through six innings, giving up one run on six hits and three walks. He had five strikeouts, four of which were looking. Worley has 108 strikeouts on the season now, 59 of which were looking. He worked out of some jams, but threw a lot of pitches in a short amount of time. He also walked in a run. It was a confusing outing. Jaime Garcia was doing that thing where he's good again, allowing five hits and one run over seven innings. He restricted his hits to just two innings -- the second and the seventh.
No, the starting pitching wasn't tonight's story. A combination of crappy offense and bullpen issues ruled the evening. The Phillies left the bases loaded in the second inning, and left Chooch on base in the seventh and the ninth. The Cardinals outhit the Phils 14-7 tonight. That's twice as many. Twice. Albert Pujols had four hits. If I counted correctly, that's only three fewer than the entire Phillies offense got all night. Rollins, Victorino, Utley, and Pence went a combined 0-for-18. But Ryan Howard, last night's walk-off hero, came through once again with his second pinch hit double in as many nights, which tied the score in the bottom of the ninth. The "hit parade" came to a screeching halt after that, at least for the Phillies. They went quietly in the tenth, and despite a one out single from Polanco in the eleventh, John Bowker lined out to end the game. Bowker is still looking for his first hit as a Phillie, though at least this time he didn't strike out.
Antonio Bastardo is beginning to show some wear and tear, which is most assuredly a mental issue and in no way related to anythiing physical. The word "tired" actually has two meanings. While many think it means "my arm doesn't have the same strength it did several months ago, and I can't find the strike zone with a map, a floodlight, and several large signs", it actually means "I am afraid of success." Bastardo's doubt in himself gave up an eighth inning solo home run, which put the Cardinals up 2-1. Perhaps Madson's closer mentality needs to have a talk with Bastardo's fear of winning.
The bullpen was playing with fire all night, and I'm starting to think that Herndon is trying to kill poor Fuqua. In the seventh, he gave up one hit and two wild pitches, but got himself out of a one-out, bases loaded jam by inducing a double play. I don't even know what to do with that. Lidge pitched around two hits in the ninth, and Madson dealt with Theriot in scoring position for most of the tenth. But the hammer came down on Michael Schwimer in the eleventh. He allowed a lead off double to Furcal, and then the go-ahead run scored on a single hit by Adron Chambers, who is apparently a player on the Cardinals. You learn something new every day!
So the Phillies must try again tomorrow to win the NL East crown. It will be German Heritage Night at the ballpark, complete with a beer garden. No matter the result of tomorrow's game, I'm pretty sure most people will end up drunk.
Behold the Fangraph of Painfully Delayed Gratification:
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Antonio Bastardo is beginning to show some wear and tear, which is most assuredly a mental issue and in no way related to anythiing physical. The word “tired” actually has two meanings. While many think it means “my arm doesn’t have the same strength it did several months ago, and I can’t find the strike zone with a map, a floodlight, and several large signs”, it actually means “I am afraid of success.” Bastardo’s doubt in himself gave up an eighth inning solo home run, which put the Cardinals up 2-1. Perhaps Madson’s closer mentality needs to have a talk with Bastardo’s fear of winning.
This is just a spectacular paragraph. And this is a spectacular recap.
The Good Phight, NotGraphs, Twitter, fun!
agreed…and I would place the blame on Chooch for that HR more than Bastardo. You can not call a fastball on the inside corner to a fastball hitter late in a 1-1 game….especially after he had just swung and missed at 2 sliders. If you must throw a fastball over the plate in that situation it needs to be away. Bastardo would have hit Chooch’s glove with that pitch.
1/3 and counting...
by DirtyWaters on Sep 17, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
tough to say, but the HR tonight, just like the HR in the 9th last night, were both bad pitch calls IMO…Chooch calls a fantastic game so it’s tough to get on him about a few mistakes, but these last 2 were pretty bad.
1/3 and counting...
by DirtyWaters on Sep 17, 2011 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking that about the HR Lee gave up. I’d’ve thought it was time for a curve, or a fastball way out of the zone…
I just watched his inning. I thought he looked much better, the HR notwithstanding. His location was much improved (as you say, the HR pitch would have hit Ruiz’s mitt, and Molina had looked silly on some silders). I’m cautiously optimistic. Here’s hoping the HR doesn’t mess with his confidence, if that’s really any kind of problem.
The Good Phight, NotGraphs, Twitter, fun!
by FuquaManuel on Sep 17, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Excellent recap Liz!!!
Can you cover all losses from now on?
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
Really hoping to see at the game tomoorow night...
a Braves win tomorrow afternoon, a vintage Oswalt performance to calm everyone’s nerves, and a crowd that is into the game before the 9th inning…can’t rally blame them due to the combo lacking of hits and playoff drama.
1/3 and counting...
While I am disappointed, I am not entirely surprised -more because I think the Phillies are taking it relatively easy (though resting starters at this point isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, of course), and St. Louis is still fighting for the wild card spot.
All in all, I really won’t complain much at this juncture. If they keep this up the rest of the weekend, then I’ll start getting concerned.
I’d just like to see them split 2-2 cause that would all but knock St Louis out of contention unless the Braves continue to channel the 07 Mess.
1/3 and counting...
by DirtyWaters on Sep 17, 2011 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, of course, if you’re a Braves fan, you probably think the Phillies are doing this intentionally just to mess with the Braves…
by Airedale260 on Sep 17, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t really care what happens with this series, so long as the Phillies win at least one game, and that game (and not some act by certain other teams in the division) clinches the division.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
Since this is a four-game series I’d like to see them continue their fantastic run of winning at least 3 of 4 every time. That may be a little much to ask for this time, but 2-2 with two aces and Oswalt going in the remaining three games shouldn’t be unreachable. Even with less than a regular starting lineup.
by phillyinportland on Sep 17, 2011 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know how far I would be willing to go on the resting starters argument considering that Francisco and Schneider were really the only two non-regulars (consider Mayberry a semi-regular at this point considering the amount of time he has played against lefties in the last month or so).
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
Did they make any mention of the call-ups?
I’d assume Kratz as a 3rd catcher, but DeFratus? Savery? Aumont? Perez? Chunk? Moss?
1/3 and counting...
Brown, Kratz, Moss, DeFratus, and Savery
Drew Naylor, Perez, and Chunk DFA’ed to make room on the 40
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
You’re welcome. Does anybody know what the rules are regarding the post season roster? I know that the Phillies get one wild card due to Contreras being on the 60 day DL, but do they have to pick the other 24 only from players who were on the active roster or 15 day DL on 9/1, or from anybody who had been up at any point in the season?
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
Just need a split. Don’t have a cow, man.
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.
This message is just meant for the general populace freaking out on WIP tonight. “Where did the offense go? Here we go again!”
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.
I am not freaking out yet, but I am with them on the wanting to see the offense re-emerge… I mean 0-18 from the top four in the order tonight (all of whom ARE regulars) is a big part of why the Phillies lost.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
Well, how often have they been playing together lately? Also, there has been some bad luck in addition to some poor plate approaches. Whatever, maybe if there’s one game remaining in the season and they are still only scoring 2 r/g, I’ll be concerned, but only slightly. Teams go in hot scoring tons of runs all the time and then playoff game one they get no-no’d by Roy Halladay. Knowwhatimsayin?
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.
What does playing together have to do with flat out hitting? I know some of this is REALLY bad luck, but a scoring explosion would be loads of fun.
"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."
Well, guys are in and out every night and not in rhythmn offensively—the lineup’s been shuffled quite a bit. How many different spots has Pence hit in just in the last week alone? I know hitting’s ultimately hitting, but at some point funks spread.
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.
Luck=mashing a cripple high offspeed pitch and putting in the upper deck, just foul (Pence)
Luck=mashing a poorly chosen inside fastball down the left field line so that it glances off the foul side of the pole (Molina)
Winning is more likely to happen with your very best players on the field.
by Wet Luzinski on Sep 17, 2011 7:27 AM EDT up reply actions
that’s hillarious…speaking of WIP…I was driving this afternoon and caught Ruben on the air with Anthony and Glen. He was telling a story about being at Lehigh last night and said he was getting pitch by pitch updates on the Phils game on his “Crackberry.” That’s right, he said “Crackberry.”
1/3 and counting...
Sorry that Corey Patterson couldn't help you guys win
Follow me @BBBMinorLeaguer | 2011 Jays record while in attendance: 9-11 (.450)
The real-world/group-think disconnect feedback loop that is TALKING CHOP is quite a marvel to behold sometimes, but I think it may be approaching critical mass....
Look, we are in serious trouble. I do believe that we will probably take the next two from the Mets. This will make us all feel better. But we have a lot of games against teams that we have a LOT of trouble with, like the Nats and the Phillies. Meanwhile, the Cards are tearing it up. Don’t be surprised if they keep on winning, big time. Their schedule is pretty light after the Phillies, and the Phillies traditionally don’t play their best when it is essentially meaningless. We have got to shake things up pitching wise, or we are NOT going to make it.
Of course, the Phillies will turn on the burners for US, in spite of not needing the games to win the division.
by BravesFaninAZ on Sep 17, 2011 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
They know that the Braves will be the most dangerous threat to them in the playoffs.
by Kobe:The Legend on Sep 17, 2011 12:54 AM EDT
….
I feel like I’m getting a glimpse into the fevered, delusional final days in the Führer Bunker… The Blog Lord Field Marshals bickering over an impossible separate peace with the A(Phi)LLIES as Chopmaster descends into madness, muttering to himself & moving models of phantom Allstars on a tabletop baseball diamond, speaking of a hope for victory long since lost…. All the while, the exploding shells get louder and louder as the St. Louis Russkies close in on the door step of Ted Turner Stadium….
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Sep 17, 2011 1:32 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Haha. Everyone’s a threat in the playoffs, but I’d take them in 7-gamer every day over the Cards or Brewers.
What kind of plane is it? Oh, it's a big pretty white plane with red stripes, curtains in the windows and wheels and it looks like a big ol' Tylenol.
I feel the same way.
Then again…. “Quando dio, ole castigarci ci manda, quello che desideriamo…”
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Sep 17, 2011 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions
True, but a 7-game series is a combination of ability, matchups, and luck. Since luck’s not really predictable, I’ll take the teams that we match up better against. The Phillies are 9-6 against Atlanta, 2-4 against St. Louis, and 4-3 against Milwaukee. I’d prefer the Braves. I really don’t want the Cardinals. I realize it’s a major SSS, but St. Louis and Seattle are the only two teams the Phillies have a losing record against (both 2-4).
Ceterum autem censeo, Atlanta esse delendam.
Bob.
Again, I totally agree.
I’m just trying to not to anger Baseba’al or get ahead of myself. I would certainly much rather face Atlanta. St. Louis and Milwaukee both give me pause in a short series. Regardless, whatever happens happens.
Non est ad astra mollis e terris via. Crudelius est quam mori semper timere mortem.
Nil desperandum auspice Utley.
by Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed on Sep 17, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree 100%. Everyone is a threat and anyone can beat the Phillies in a short series, no doubt that is true, but there are always some teams that are more worrying than others, and the Braves are not on the top of that list.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
I especially like this part...
the Phillies traditionally don’t play their best when it is essentially meaningless.
As opposed to say the Braves who traditionally don’t play well when it matters?
Ed Snider is a crotchety old fuck.
That is all.
Everybody lays down for the Mets.
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
by bandwagonesque on Sep 17, 2011 9:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
“Adron” is an interesting name to shuffle around.
Radon, No Dar, On Rad, No Rad, A Nord, Norda, etc.
oh, and wonderful recap, but I’m confused: I thought Howard’s pinch-hit “double” was (accurately) ruled E-9 on Patterson. Yet I see in the paper today that it’s recounted as a double.
The goddamned ball CLANKED OFF THE HEEL OF HIS GLOVE after he OVERRAN IT.
FFS, my pet peeve is limp-dick’d official scoring. Why bother anymore – why not use the fans to use their cell phones:
Text H if it’s a Hit
Text E if it’s an Error
Text R to hear us play Rick James’ “Never Gonna Give You Up”
Standard rates apply, etc.
I’m confused, did Patterson drop two balls in the inning? He’s charged with an error for dropping Ruiz’s flyball, which scored Martinez, who ran for Howard. Was Howard’s double similar?
guh, I meant Ruiz. Never mind me.
/old man ranting.
by Wet Luzinski on Sep 17, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Rick James did not sing ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, but if he did it would probably be killer.
"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez
by Jose and the Contrarians on Sep 17, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
More importantly...
Whats the vegas odds for the date of the second SHUNNING?
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
when Bowker gets a hit before he does. Or on base.
by Wet Luzinski on Sep 17, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn’t “Never Gonna Give You Up” Rick Astley? Or did I miss a joke? In which case, insert JOKE KILLER .gif below.
Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
The rickrolling of Shea Stadium may be one of my alltime favorite baseball moments, along with the Pete Orr sausage race incident.
Guh. Howard’s hit and now Rick Astley, not Rick James. I think I’m gonna give up.
by Wet Luzinski on Sep 17, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
So I visited thefightins.com this morning to see if they have a gif of Victorino grabbing Ben Francisco’s hand and banging it on the railing when Patterson dropped Howard’s hit. Turns out, thefightins is dead again. At least for now. They need to get a new web host. Goodness.
Let's go eat...a triceratops. /velociraptor'd
I am Tony's tired doubt.
His name was Antonio Bastardo!
His name was Antonio Bastardo!
No one knows what it means, but it's provocative! GETS THE PEOPLE GOING!
by Eaglesadvocate on Sep 17, 2011 9:33 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
I’m also encouraged by Bastardo’s remarks in this article:
http://www.csnphilly.com/09/17/11/Struggles-continue-for-Phils-reliever-Ba/news_phillies.html?blockID=564415&feedID=693
article also says his struggles seem to date to the Desmond HR, but that seems a little too neatly to fit the “confidence” narrative… didn’t he have that great outing against the Reds after that?
one of the reporters tweeted a crazy stat yesterday. after yesterdays game, Bastardo had allowed 9 out of his last 15 batters to reach base. He only allowed 9 batters out of his last 55 prior to that.
Rwady for the Crazy:
Going into his apperarance on 9/3 he had given up 19 hits and 19BB to 66K’s in 53.1 innings. over 56 games. His ERA was 1.35
Since then?
5 games. 2.1 innings. 5 ER 4 hits, 5BB 1K 19.29 ERA.
to really put that into perspective, He gave up a grand total of 5 ER between May 27th and September 2nd. 37 games. 31 IP, and only walked 11 batters, while striking out 41.
Thats not confidence, and its not the league catching up to him. Its velocity, control and overwork.
The good news last night was that he didn’t walk anyone, and got his first strikeout since the 2nd.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
The best part about the game was finding out about the callups. Seriously.
I am looking forward to seeing Joe Savery Loogy his way into the pstseason. If that happens, it may just be the organizational story of the year.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
ah, Jose Contreras’ roster spot….I forgot
1/3 and counting...
by DirtyWaters on Sep 17, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
It’ll definitely be a nominee for weirdest organizational story of the year. Guy starts the year as a 1B/LF/DH, batting .307/.368/.410 in A+, pitches 2 innings in relief, moves to AA as a reliever and throws 14 Ks in 9 innings (with no walks), then goes to AAA and throws 26 K in 25 innings with a 1.80 ERA. He’s faced 100 batters in AAA, and struck out 26 of them.
And I’m not sure he’s being used as a LOOGY, putting up 25 innings in 18 games. He’ll probably be a LOOGY at the pro level, but his numbers look like a set-up guy/middle reliever.
Bob.
I don’t think he’ll be used as a LOOGY either, but, when you look at some of the post season possibilites and the LH bats out there, that HAS to be a big reason as to why hes getting a look.
a second LH arm in the pen would not be a bad thing.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
But then a complicated pinch hitting decision tree might face Manuel. Who does he bat first, and which does he save for the late innings? Bowker, Mini-Mart, Cliff Lee or Savery?
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
Playoff roster eligibility
Correct me if I’m wrong about this. Because Contreras is on the 60 day DL, the phillies have 26 men eligible for the postseason, PLUS 2, for Rollins and Blanton, who were on the DL on 8/31. So anyone on the ML roster as of 8/31, PLUS Blanton and Rollins, are eligible for the postseason.
because of Contreras, they could also decide to use ONE of the follwing people not on the active roster or DL for the 25th spot. (I’m assuming that the call ups arwe the only people they would consider) Orr, Moss, Kratz, Brown, DeFratus, Savery.
What I’m getting at is say they wanted to use Brown AND Moss, or Brown AND Savery? could they do it without DL’ing someone else?
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
I believe this is correct.
Moreover, I still think the Phils might DL Gload or Valdez if either (a) they are injured (b) the Phils are convinced they will be ineffective. I believe this would give them 2 more flexible positions.
Thus, “roster pools” may find their way onto TGP and other blogs. We can also, happily, expect that Cholly will very freely continue to substitute for the regulars, even if they are healthy. If my calculation is correct, as many as 4 roster spots could be up for grabs, which should promote some good competition.
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
No.
The postseason roster can be made up of any combination the following:
a) players on the active 25 man roster on 8/31
PLUS
b)Players on the 15 day DL, 60 day DL, Bereavement list or suspended list not on the 25 man roster on 8/31.
For us thats 28 people.
The only person who was on the roster yesterday that didn’t make that list was Pete Orr.
If any of those eligible players are still on the DL at the end of the season, they can be replaced with another player from the organization, as long as that player was in the organization on 8/31. Player did not have to be on the 40 man at that time, but would have to be added.
So all the call ups, and Orr are fighting for Contreras spot. Meaning, that if Dom Brown and Brandon Moss can’t both make the roster unless we were to put say, Blanton or Gload or Valdez on the DL.
I am not sure how it would work if someone from the active roster was released. Say, Bowker, for example.
25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark
Bastardo’s “blow-up” is reminding me a bit of 2009 Lidge.
“Don’t you give up on me, Charlie,” versus “My arm is tired.”
Bastardo needs to sit if his mindset is that this is more physical than mental, but I don’t fault Charlie trying to restore his confidence. There’s no way Bastardo’s head isn’t taking a hand in his recent performance, even if it’s not the biggest issue. I think as Bastardo gets more experience down the road, he’ll come to realize there are ways to get around it when your manager’s playing hard ball with you.
If I’m around Bastardo right now, I’m reminding him that he wasn’t pitching his best last night and still only gave up one run in three outs.
I’d tell Tony: “Chooch selección de tono en contra de Molina fue realmente estúpido.”
Hunter Pence will not guarantee a WS, but, then, neither does Carlos Beltran.
according to his remarks in the article I linked to above, he feels better, and since he looked better, hopefully he’ll be ok
I don’t know how I missed that article here, but I saw it on FB and read it. I owe Bastardo a bit of an apology. Everything he said in that article is encouraging, especially the conversations he’s having with Brad Lidge. I’m glad for his sake that he feels better.
I don’t think he looked bad last night, it’s just that his inning was magnified by the fact that the offense couldn’t produce two runs to retake the lead after he was done.
Hateds v Mutts
0-0 top of 5th
I felt like I thought it hit me - Chase Utley
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