The Phillies lose Another to Astros
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Years ago, back in the “old country,” comedian Flip Wilson used to say; “When You’re hot, You’re hot, when you’re not, you’re not!”
When things are going right, the freak hops bounce right and even the umpires get the close plays right. But when things are awry, the umps even miss the obvious calls, such the one late last September on the 2 out, 2 on shot by Chase Utley down the right-field line where the umpire’s call of foul with the NL Wildcard on the line sealed the Phillies fate last season. That call was also aided by a lapse in alertness by manager Charlie Manuel and the Phillies dugout.
However, on Monday, there was no such team concentration lapse here. One out, sacks full with leftfielder Carlos Lee facing Antonio Alfonseca in the bottom of the 9th. Alfonseca does his job well. A slow grounder to shortstop. Jimmy Rollins shuffles the throw underhanded to 2nd baseman Chase Utley for the out at second and Utley fires to 1st baseman Ryan Howard in a close, but obviously in-time relay for the double-play and a 4-3 Phillies win.
AP Sports Writer Chris Duncan gave his account and Phillies reactions for Yahoo sports;
Lee hit a grounder to shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who flipped to Chase Utley to start a potential game-ending double play.
The relay throw appeared to get Lee by half a step, but first-base umpire Lance Barksdale called Lee safe and Biggio scored to tie the game. Biggio started the rally with a single.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel ran out to protest, to no avail.
“Alfonseca pitched really well,” Manuel said. “He did a good job, he got the double play ball and we executed. And the umpire missed it. He told me, ‘I got it right.’ What I told him was, ‘You missed the call. You blew it.”‘
Loretta grounded out to force extra innings, but the Phillies were steamed about having to keep playing.
“It’s frustrating,” said right fielder Shane Victorino. “That’s all I have to say. Just look at the replay. I’m not going to say what I saw.”
The umpire just out-and-out blew the call. But, that’s basevball; the call is the call and the Phillies and Houston Astros went into extra-innings. The Astros eventually won in the 13th inning on rookie centerfielder Hunter Pence’s leadoff, walk-off homer off of reliever Jose Mesa for his first Phillies loss of the season, 2nd loss overall vs 1 win as Houston up-ended the Phillies by a 5-4 score in game 2 of their series.
Remarkably, as the Phils fell back to .500 at 42-42, they lost no ground to either the Mets or the Braves who lost their respective games; the Mets being pounded by Colorado by an 11-3 count, and Atlanta being nipped by the LA Dodgers by a 7-6 score.
Unfortunately, a fine 3 run, 4 hit 6 inning performance by starter Adam Eaton went for naught on the umpire’s blown double-play call. Neither Eaton nor Houston starter Roy Oswalt, who also pitched well, figured in the final decision.
The Phils did have a shot to add a 5th run in the top of the 9th.
Catcher Rod Barajas led 0ff with a double to leftfield. Carlos Ruiz was inserted as a pinchrunner. Pinch-hitter Pat Burrell flied to center. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins then flew out to rightfield. Michael Bourne, who opened in centerfield but was switched to leftfield during the game, ground-singled up the middle but Ruiz was nailed at home on a close play for the final out in the 9th inning.
The Phillies repeatedly didn’t get the job done offensively. They recorded 16 hits for the game, 13 of those hits in the first 9 innings, and left 12 runners stranded.
They also had a shot at scoring in the top of the 13th. Rightfielder Shane Victorino led off with a single to centerfield. He stole 2nd base, his 2nd steal of the game. Centerfelder Aaron Rowand sngled to right to put runners at the corners. 3rd baseman Abraham Nunez moved Rowand to 2nd with a ground out to shortstop. Ruiz was then intentionally walked to load the bases.
The Phils, scuffling around the dugout in search of a pinch hitter for reliever J. D. Durbin, sent pitcher Jamie Moyer to pinch hit. Moyer struck out. Rollins ended the inning by grounding out to 1st base, thus setting the stage for Pence’s leadoff, walk-off homer.
2nd year starter Matt Albers, the 7th pitcher trotted out by the Astros and who was used in relief because there was no one left, was awarded the win having held the Phillies scoreless in the 12th and 13th innings.
For the scores, boxscores on this and all of Tuesday’s games, click here.
The Phillies, who need to salvage one game from this series, send young lefthander Cole Hamels, still seeking his 10th win, to oppose Chris Sampson for Houston in the July 4th series finale.
The Phils have Thursday off before heading on to play the Colorado Rockies for 3 games before the 3 day All Star break with the classic taking place on July 10th.
For the scores, boxscores on this and all of Wednesday’s games, click here.
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