Miller Time: Phillies 5, Brewers 3

by dajafi on Sep 9, 2011 11:34 PM EDT

Why run when you can trot? (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Admit it: you keep waiting for reality to offer up something to substantiate your fears that this Phillies team, obviously great though it is, might stumble when the stakes are highest. You're worried, as you should be--you're a sports fan--that some talented foe might take advantage of relatively favorable matchups and a few lucky bounces and knock off the mighty Fightin's come October. And they might: short series, anything can happen, and all that jazz. But nothing over the last five days--when the Phils have played their two closest pursuers, record-wise, and won all five contests--has offered fuel for your fears.

Tonight's contest against the Brewers seemed as likely to end in defeat as any Roy Halladay start could. Miller Park is a tough venue for any visitor, and the Doc entered the game with a 1-2 record and 6.41 ERA against the Crew, including an ugly loss in Philadelphia back in April. Milwaukee starter Shaun Marcum, by comparison, came into the game 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four career starts against the Phils, including a win earlier this season. An offspeed maven with superior command, Marcum nicely fits the profile of pitchers that frustrate the fastball-fixated Phils.

But whether from a hospitable impulse or a mental lapse, he came out tonight throwing fastballs, and they made him pay. With men at the corners and one out in the first inning, Ryan Howard got ahead 2-0 and deposited one high-80s heater into the second deck to put the Phils ahead 3-0. Marcum settled in after that, holding the Phillies off the board until they chased him with two more runs in the seventh to go up 5-0, but Howard's early blow--his third career homer off Marcum--gave the Phils a lead they would hold all the way through.

Halladay made sure of that, limiting the potent Brewers lineup to four hits and a run over his eight innings of work. Featuring a sharp curve early and his signature cutter all night long, Doc escaped one bases-loaded, one-out threat in the fourth by inducing a first-pitch double play grounder from Yuniesky Betancourt, then set the Brewers down in order the next two innings before yielding a run in the seventh on a Casey McGehee double, a groundout and a Betancourt sac fly. Halladay wound up striking out nine on the night, giving him 204 for the season.

For those really determined to find something to worry about, thank Antonio Bastardo. Called on to finish off the 5-1 lead in the ninth, Bastardo allowed an 0-2 leadoff single to Prince Fielder, then walked McGehee. On came Ryan Madson, who got pinch-hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. to ground out on a super-close play at first. Betancourt followed with a single to score Fielder, and McGehee came out on a Jonathan Lucroy sac fly. But pinch-hitter George Kottaras grounded out on the first pitch he saw, and the Phils had their 93rd win of the season. On September 9, please note.

Fangraph GO!!!:

via www.fangraphs.com

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Comments

Bastardo is clearly fatigued. Charlie needs to give him an extended rest. Seriously, he is not needed now but will be in the future.

Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Sep 9, 2011 11:37 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

FYI, Cards have two on in the bottom of the 10th, no outs.

by Airedale260 on Sep 9, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

He shouldn’t have come into the game. To put it bluntly, winning games should no longer be (to use Charlie’s favorite term) “the #1 priority.” If he thinks it is, he’s wrong.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Have the Phillies clinched anything yet? That’s what I thought/s

Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, now GTFO

by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 10, 2011 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Eh?

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I was so joking.

Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, now GTFO

by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 10, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Ah, sorry. It’s late.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

ummm

You want to win every game. This statement makes no sense to me. Bastardo had 3 days rest going into tonight. Plus, there were two lefties scheduled to be up in the ninth. I see no reason why he should not have been in there to face prince.

by PhilsForever on Sep 10, 2011 4:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Minimal rest

He pitched the 8th inning on Wednesday, gave up a single and a walk to start the inning just like tonight. Was helped out by Polanco’s heads up double play and ended the inning with his patented popup. I imagine Charlie was thinking like you say, use Bastardo to face the lefty Fielder, but there was really no need to stick with that plan once Halladay finished off the 8th inning. He could have used another reliever without worrying that the tying run was about to step to the plate.

by phillyinportland on Sep 10, 2011 5:13 AM EDT up reply actions

at this point, they don’t need Bastardo for any given game, since any given win isn’t terribly important… however they do need him to pitch some before the playoffs and stay (or get) sharp. I don’t think it’s an easy situation to manage.

by yolacrary on Sep 10, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps they could have gone with lidge. But, I’m not terribly upset he went with bastardo. I just hope he gets his command back.

by PhilsForever on Sep 10, 2011 1:23 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Argh, who to root for tonight? The despicable Giants or the wonder boy Clayton Kershaw?

What3v3r.

by ww2b on Sep 9, 2011 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

Brewers unbelievable home record: 50-21
Phils ho hum home record: 49-22

Brewers top tier offense: 640 runs in 146 games.
Phils mediocre offense: 648 runs in 141 games.

Of course, Brewers play in that tough division with the Cubs and Astros.

by EastFallowfield on Sep 9, 2011 11:43 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs

To be fair, Milwaukee’s unbelievable home record was a little (just a tad) more unbelievable before we got to Wisconsin :)

Also, blame it on those Braves and the rest of the NL East, always laying down for the Phillies.

What3v3r.

by ww2b on Sep 9, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

You really love feeling aggrieved, don’t you.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions

heartily rec’d

by phillies0100 on Sep 10, 2011 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Not really ho hum

Here’s another way of looking at it. The Phillies’ road record of 44-26 is the same as the D’Backs’ home record of 44-26. The only three teams with better home records than that are the Brewers, the Phillies, and the Yankees. Be of good cheer.

by phillyinportland on Sep 10, 2011 5:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think EastFallowfield was saying 49-22 was ho hum, but rather: the Phillies’ home record and the Brewers’ differ by only one (1) game, the Phillies have scored more runs in fewer games, and the Brewers play in a division with a bunch of schmucks, yet all the sports media are creaming themselves over the Brewers’ home record and offensive production.

by Metatwaddle on Sep 10, 2011 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions

The Phillies’ road record only got up to that level now, so seeing as how the media creaming has to occur in real time, it’s perfectly understandable why we’ve heard so much more about the Brewers.

I like to dwell on outsider disrespect as much as the next guy, but come on, this just makes us look absurdly needy. It’s way worse than even a stereotypical Boston fan.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Not disagreeing. I didn’t mean to imply that EastFallowfield was saying it was ho hum. I just think it’s pretty amazing that both home and away the Phillies’ record is so good that really the only thing where somebody has them beat is in home record and that may not last too long. And that home field of the Brewers sure had a lot of Phillies’ fans last night. We’re everywhere these days.

by phillyinportland on Sep 10, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

/media darling’d

by Wet Luzinski on Sep 10, 2011 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions

damn, i miss a good game?

by phillies0100 on Sep 9, 2011 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

The two highlights you need to see: Howard’s HR and Pete Orr vs the sausage race.

by EastFallowfield on Sep 9, 2011 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Outside of Howard’s 1st inning blast that is hovering somewhere around Madison at the moment, it was mostly yelling at Angel Hernandez, Charlie Manuel, and Rich Dubee.

Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Sep 9, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

And what EastFallowfield said. Pete Orr intercepting a sausage race was interesting.

Writer at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Sep 9, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw the clip of Orr running through the sausage race on Baseball Tonight as an honorary nominee for the most “ridiculous play of the week” segment

by JLS89 on Sep 10, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Bases loaded in B10th in St. Louis.

by Wet Luzinski on Sep 9, 2011 11:52 PM EDT reply actions

Nick Punto FTW!

So playoff magic remains 3, but division is down to 10?

by Wet Luzinski on Sep 9, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Nope

by EastFallowfield on Sep 9, 2011 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

even better.

THat’s Kimbrel’s first blown save since June 8!

by Wet Luzinski on Sep 10, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

“Dom Brown approves this usage of his number 9.”

by phillyinportland on Sep 10, 2011 5:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Bender is watching the Braves game

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd Boned

by The Fish on Sep 9, 2011 11:54 PM EDT reply actions

Seriously, what a fucking team.

by philsandthrills on Sep 10, 2011 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

OMG I couldn’t stop laughing at that Pete Orr incident. It could only have been him. I can’t explain why, but it just wouldn’t have been anywhere near as funny had it been anyone else on the team, or possibly anyone else in MLB. It’s just the whole gestalt about him. He might now be my favorite crappy backup infielder of all time. Sorry Kim Batiste.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:19 AM EDT reply actions

did you happen to catch how close Halladay was to entering the fray? he just barely caught himself at the top step

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I had not. That would have been… interesting.

I wish 1210 would podcast their player of the game interviews. Apparently today’s guest was Orr and they took the time to break down the incident in detail. But I missed it.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, really? I think it would have been even funnier if it had been Joe Blanton. I’m giggling just thinking about it.

by Metatwaddle on Sep 10, 2011 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Orr is still funnier, but you make a fair point, a very fair point.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah,

As repeated repeatedly on twitter, it was THE WURST!

25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark

by Joecatz on Sep 10, 2011 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Abraham Nunez has a sad

by chase8008 on Sep 10, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

......

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s just as funny today as it was last night. Oh man. I can’t get over his “oh shit” body language just as he realizes the sausages are upon him.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

"Straight panic," said Orr, who had a season-high three hits. "I froze and just tried to get skinny."

Joked manager Charlie Manuel: "(Pete) was counting his batting average, ran in the way."

"He's a bum...this one stinks...this jerk can't play."-- A father teaching his daughter the Phillies lineup from the program roster, the Vet, c.1998

by MikeEinNC on Sep 10, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Lehigh Valley 3, Pawtucket 2 (10)
Justin De Fratus 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 GO, 6 BF, W
Brandon Moss 3 for 5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, walkoff single
Phillippe Aumont 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, WP, BS
Mike Zagurski 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
LV leads 2-0, series goes to Pawtucket for Game 3 (4-5 if necessary)

Reading 11, New Hampshire 2
J.C. Ramirez 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HBP, 4 GB, 1 LD, 7 FB (2 pop)
Ozzie Chavez 3 for 5, 2 R
Derrick Mitchell 3 for 5, 2B, 3B, R, 5 RBI
Tuffy Gosewisch 3 for 4, 2 2B, R, RBI
Series tied 1-1, moves to Reading for Games 3-4

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

I really really hope this team doesn’t spend big money on a closer with De Fratus and Aumont coming up next year.

by philsandthrills on Sep 10, 2011 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Also, looks like I was wrong about Ramirez. Not that it mattered, given the way Reading bulldozed the Fisher Cats pitching.

by philsandthrills on Sep 10, 2011 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, he’s super inconsistent. If they get to the next round, he’ll probably strike out zero and give up six runs. It does seem like the talent is still there though.

The starter they KO’d today had a really awesome regular season. Nestor Molina, born 1/9/89. In FSL: 108.1 IP, 102 H, 14 BB, 115 K, 2.58 ERA. In EL: 22.0 IP, 12 H, 2 BB, 33 K, 0.41 ERA. Pretty nice to hit this guy around. A bunch of the runs were unearned, but still.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions

well, 2 MLB execs told Stark that they think Madson will get a Valverde-esque deal of 2 yrs 14 million with an option year…sign me up for that

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions

14 total? As in 7 per? That’s it?

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah…I couldn’t believe it either

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I joked earlier that the anonymous execs were RAJ and Proefrock

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Uhhh, Scott Boras. Nuf said.

by philsandthrills on Sep 10, 2011 12:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I wish Scott Boras would negotiate salaries for the teacher’s union. Something tells me the issues of recruiting teachers coming out of college would suddenly be solved.

Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, now GTFO

by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 10, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Fuck the teachers, I want him to negotiate my salary.

/s /onlysorta

by Phrozen on Sep 10, 2011 2:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t mind Madson back for another 2 years at 7 per.

"Learning to eat soup with a knife"

by h2o_34_35_44 on Sep 10, 2011 6:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Part of the problem for Madson is that the market has really fallen for relievers as so many multi-year high dollar deals have turned out poorly.

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Sep 11, 2011 10:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Will they be up next year? And do you think they are reliable enough to be put in high leverage situations?

"Learning to eat soup with a knife"

by h2o_34_35_44 on Sep 10, 2011 6:14 AM EDT up reply actions

This. Aumont and deFratus have been good in the minors, neither has been lights out, and they have combined for exactly 0 innings of major league work, so nobody really knows how well they will do in the bigs. I would retain Madson, and then give both of them a long look in Spring Training to pick one of them to be the sixth guy in the bullpen(am assuming that Kendrick is gone and the bullpen next year looks like:

Madson
Bastardo
Contreras
Stutes
Herndon
One of the current AAA guys/ Schwimer

Considering that Contreras may not be ready to pitch right out of Spring Training, two of the AAA guys or Schwimer could get a chance to show what they have in major league games in April. And with all of the injuries bullpens go through, the more good relievers available, the better.

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Sep 11, 2011 10:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Did you see

The MLBTR post where they quote 2 execs saying they expect madson to sign for somewhere around 2 years/14mm? If that happens sign me up. Otherwise, yeah, I’m all in on the rooks

25.8/106 "Winter is coming" -Eddard Stark

by Joecatz on Sep 10, 2011 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

really? that’s surprising…. and awesome. I wonder why?

by yolacrary on Sep 10, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

He's not even in the top ten in saves!

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Lincecum is about to have 3 games this season head to head with Kershaw and go 0-2 with a sub 1 ERA….that’s gotta suck

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:50 AM EDT reply actions

Almost as much as the...

Giants.

by Cole_Hamels_Can on Sep 10, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I get the feeling that the 2010 Giants are going to be like the 02 angels or the 03 Marlins where a decade from now people will look back and think “how the hell did THAT team win the world series?”

Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, now GTFO

by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 10, 2011 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions

decade?

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions

I felt that way last year…

by Cole_Hamels_Can on Sep 10, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions

touche

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I’ve been ripping on my girlfriend who is a Giants fan, but now it’s getting too sad for me even to rip on them.

by Cole_Hamels_Can on Sep 10, 2011 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

True, but it usually takes a year for the popular media to think that any team that wins the championship is the next great dynasty that’s loaded with future Hall of Famers. It’s not nearly as bad in baseball as it is in football, but it’s still there.

Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, now GTFO

by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 10, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Ditto.

"Valdez can pitch, Lee can hit... and pigs can fly."

by dannijd on Sep 11, 2011 11:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

02 Angels weren’t so bad. 06 Cardinals were worse.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I think the Cardinals have to get some credit for their 04 and 05 teams and not just have their championship season written off for their bad record. The Angels on the other hand had a losing record in 01, came out of nowhere, got into the playoffs, won the world series, then had a losing record the following year.

Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, now GTFO

by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 10, 2011 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions

He did the reverse to Roy Oswalt a couple years ago if I recall. What goes around comes around.

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Phils now 8 up in the loss column over every other team in baseball….I think I am going to rock my “ask me about our pitching staff” shirt tomorrow

3/9/9 and counting...

by DirtyWaters on Sep 10, 2011 12:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Anyone else watching the mizzou-Arizona State game? A boring game where there’s a penalty after seemingly every play, but the ref’s mic keeps shorting out so it makes it worth it for comedy value.

Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, now GTFO

by Veni Vidi Vici on Sep 10, 2011 1:03 AM EDT reply actions

Out of curiosity..

Doc hasn’t given up a homer since July 18.

by Shazbot on Sep 10, 2011 1:23 AM EDT reply actions

San Francisco lost reliever Jeremy Affeldt for the season after he sustained a deep cut in his right hand while using a knife to separate frozen hamburger patties during Thursday’s off day. He underwent surgery to repair a damaged nerve.

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=310909126&teams=los-angeles-dodgers-vs-san-francisco-giants

by taco pal on Sep 10, 2011 1:44 AM EDT reply actions

Injured during a freak hamburger accident? Holy cow.

Fate is not smiling on the Giants this year. I have to think that if they sacrificed Cody Ross and ritually ate his skull, their situation would improve somewhat.

by Phrozen on Sep 10, 2011 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions

These follow-the-world-champs-around and do a TV series on them, don’t seem to work out for the teams involved, do they? Might be something to remember.

by phillyinportland on Sep 10, 2011 5:35 AM EDT up reply actions

unholy cow, if you’re a Giants fan.

by Wet Luzinski on Sep 10, 2011 7:05 AM EDT up reply actions

How cute.

“You’re adorable.”

Time is not made of lines. It is made of circles. That is why clocks are round.
-Michael J Caboose

by TheOrangeCone on Sep 10, 2011 3:10 AM EDT up reply actions

That's right up there

with Odibbe (sp?) McDowell injuring himself while buttering a roll. But nothing can top the Glenallen Hill spider freakout.

by MJW on Sep 10, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Some other...odd...injuries

Adam Eaton stabbing himself in the stomach trying to open a CD.

Clarence Blethen would put his false teeth in his back pocket as a rookie pitcher, because he thought he looked more menacing with the gap in his teeth. He slid into second to break up a double play, and bit himself in the ass.

Bob.

by The Dark on Sep 10, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions