Posted: Thursday, October 8, 2009, 6:52 PM | 44 comments |
 

Manuel: Blanton or Martinez could start Game 3
options
 

After the Phillies' 5-4 loss in Game 2 of the NLDS to the Rockies today, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was asked primarily about his pitching strategy, which included using two starting pitchers in relief roles.

Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ pitched in relief after 2008 hero Cole Hamels was removed in the fifth inning. Hamels soon left Citizens Bank Park with his wife, who had gone into labor.

Manuel said Blanton or Pedro Martinez might start the next game in Denver on Saturday.

Blanton pitched in relief today (19 pitches) and Manuel asked if the righthander could be ready for Game 3.

"Blanton could pitch Saturday," Manuel said. "We’ll definitely talk about that on the plane ride and we’ll announce that tomorrow. Blanton is ready to pitch. He’ll definitely be ready to pitch on Saturday if that’s what we choose to do."

Manuel said Pedro Martinez, who has not pitched in the series, also could start on Saturday. "Pedro is definitely in the mix to pitch Saturday," Manuel said. "I’d say right now it is between Blanton and Pedro."

Happ, another possible Game 3 starter, was hit by a line drive off the bat of Seth Smith. "He was hit below his knee and he got hit pretty good," Manuel said. "When he was landing [in the pitching motion], he was having a hard time staying on his feet. I think he’ll be OK, though. He’ll get treatment and he’ll be OK."

X-rays were negative and it was diagnosed as a bruise.

"I don’t anticipate it being much of an issue," Happ said. "We have the rest of today and tomorrow, trying to work on it. You have pitch through stuff. This is not a big deal." He said he felt alright but his leg was tight.

Lost in all of the discussion was Hamels. Manuel was asked whether Heidi Hamels' impending delivery might have affected her husband's performance. "It could have," Manuel said. "I was taking him out of the game, we had a guy on and I wanted to hit for him. Frank Coppenbarger [director of team travel and clubhouse services] came into the dugout and said his wife went into labor.

"I didn't think Hamels pitched too bad. In the first inning, they took advantage of a break, especially of the ball that [Todd] Helton chopped down the first-base line. His stuff was good. He threw some close pitches, around the plate. I thought his command could have been better."

 
Posted by Daily News staff @ 6:52 PM  Permalink | 44 comments
44
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:13 PM, 10/08/2009
    So the Phils may start the oldest starter left on their roster who most recently missed a start due to a stiff neck. He takes a while to warm up and the temp at game time is going to be around 30 and drop from there. Is it me or does this seem a dangerous plan. I'm not saying it can't work, but it seems risky.
    — kmon
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:21 PM, 10/08/2009
    Pedro to the rescue
    — mick314
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:36 PM, 10/08/2009
    Actually, Pedro "most recently" started in two games. The stiff neck was before that. He hurt his neck while taking a swing. It's not like he woke up and his neck was stiff on its own or because of cold weather.
    — JimG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:37 PM, 10/08/2009
    Using starters as relievers does not work for Charlie. Kyle Loshe, Blanton, Happ. Bad results from all three. Stop over-managing Charlie.
    — phink
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:49 PM, 10/08/2009
    What the hell is Cholly thinking by using both of your best remaining starters today? What an idiot. Now, neither one can pitch this weekend. I said all along he should've carried an extra pitcher and just scheduled Happ and Blanton in to games 3 and 4. This will be the end of the series...horrible managing and planning.
    — scootch
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:52 PM, 10/08/2009
    2008 is over, Cole. Get your act together.
    — palmyra21
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:53 PM, 10/08/2009
    Happ is ready to pitch, why not Happ? Happ shut them out this year. I liked the idea of Happ as closer, but it looks like it's Madson. Pedro is the starter. Wait for it.
    — greenflyer
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:01 PM, 10/08/2009
    My girlfriend blames all of Cole's problems on Heidi.
    — GreenWing
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:06 PM, 10/08/2009
    scootch, YOU are the idiot. Blanton threw 19 pitches. It says earlier in the story that he WILL be available. (But, of course, YOU know better, apparently.) ... Go back to the kiddie pool that is the "Talk Phillies" chat board!
    — jman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:11 PM, 10/08/2009
    Even if Pedro pitches 7 great innings in game 3, the Rockies are one of the best comeback teams in baseball and win a lot of games in their last at-bat. When was the last time the Phillies had a comeback win? Frequently, the Phillies come back only to lose by one run. The Phillies don't seem to have a good enough bench to make a full comeback.
    — Gnip Gnop
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:14 PM, 10/08/2009
    YOU AH's are Wretched!!! God Speed to Heidi & Cole!!! It's only a game..NOT THE BIRTH OF YOUR FIRST BORN SON!!!!!!!!!! We hope all goes well for the Hamels....Get a life you evil Knitwits!!!!!!
    — spiritof76
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:18 PM, 10/08/2009
    Blanton 19 pitches, Happ 4 pitches...... no biggie..... it's not like they walk around for four days with bubble wrap on their arms and then take it off the 5th day to pitch and repeat the process. Happ taking one right below the knee is another story...... if it remains sore and he can't pitch with it, then that's an issue.
    — joeolive
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:19 PM, 10/08/2009
    You'll all be happy when we have Happ for game 4. We might need that to get us back to Philly and save the series.
    — dpell
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:19 PM, 10/08/2009
    Blanton threw 19 pitches and Happ less than that. In baseball starters throw bullpen sessions two days after their last start and throw more pitches than that so no problem with either Blanton or Happ(if healthy) starting Saturday and Sunday......Lee on Monday, if needed....so lets not get all worked uo about piteching unless Happs injury is worse than they are saying.
    — bob10345
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:21 PM, 10/08/2009
    why would you let cairo hit in the 9th instead of ruiz? more importantly, why does nobody ask manuel about that? it could have cost them the game. a AAA player instead of a dude with a .355 OBP this year, higher than ibanez. just terrible managing.
    — JimEisenreich


44 comments | View All Comments | View All By Latest
View comments: 1  |  2  |  3
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times. E-mail Dave at dmurphy@phillynews.com.

Join on Facebook    Follow on Twitter

Advertise Here
XML
 
@ChelsCoyle More power to you. I usually stopped paying attention by the all star break - 02/18/2012
 
@michaelweil thanks yeah I'm real interested to see what the reg season is like - 02/18/2012
 
RT @DawninPhila: @HighCheese Never heard a louder crowd than G2 of 08 DS. We were hungry, dizzy and unsure what would happen next. Not t ... - 02/18/2012
 
RT @DEKerr77: @HighCheese For me, the Phillies payroll has changed everything. Trying to buy championships -- & failing -- has taken muc ... - 02/18/2012
 
@DaveBehler thanks. amazing how far the organization has come - 02/18/2012
Get Your Philadelphia Phillies Gear Here
    Latest Phillies Videos