Breaking down the last four innings of a 5-3 loss. . .
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Breaking down the last four innings of a 5-3 loss. . .
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
It's easy to second-guess Charlie Manuel's bullpen decision-making in the Phillies' 5-3 loss to the Braves. But let's try to talk through his rationale:
Trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Manuel's ideal game unfolds like this:
-Lefty J.C. Romero faces lefty Eric Hinske, pitches carefully to righty Dan Uggla, then faces lefty Freddie Freeman.
-Romero either retires all three, or retires Hinske and Freeman and walks Uggla.
-Kyle Kendrick faces Alex Gonzalez-David Ross-Jair Jurrjens-Martin Prado and takes you through the seventh.
-Antonio Bastardo gets the eighth against lefty Nate McLouth, switch-hitter Chipper Jones, and lefty Hinske.
-Ryan Madson gets the ninth with a lead, or Mike Stutes gets the ninth in a tie game.
The other scenario he probably pondered goes like this:
-Romero faces the same three batters.
-Stutes, rather than Kendrick, follows Romero.
-Bastardo gets the eighth.
Now, let's look at the two key decisions that Manuel made after pinch-hitting for Joe Blanton in the bottom of the fifth (a move that led to the Phillies' only run to that point):
1) Kendrick over Stutes
Romero got Hinske, but allowed Uggla and Freeman to reach base. With runners on first and second and one out in the sixth, he decided to go with Kendrick for two reasons. First, Kendrick is a sinker-ball, groundball pitchers, and the Phillies were a double play away from getting out of the inning. Second, Alex Gonzalez and David Ross were due up. Gonzalez was 0-for-8 in his career against Kendrick. Ross was 0-for-5. In his last two outings against the Braves, Stutes allowed a home run to Eric Hinske and almost allowed a grand slam to Dan Uggla on a hanging slider that sailed just to the left of the foul pole.
You can certainly argue that Stutes' strikeout stuff would have been the proper play. But if Manuel's biggest concern was a three-run home run by Gonzalez, then you can see why he thought Kendrick was the safe play.
2) Letting Kendrick face Martin Prado
This one might have been the biggest question mark. After Kendrick gets a loud fly-out from Gonzalez, Ross reaches base on an RBI bunt single and Jair Jurrjens walks. The bases are loaded for Martin Prado. Not only has Prado killed Phillies pitching this series, as well as in his career, the Braves' leadoff hitter is 5-for-10 in his career against Kendrick. In the bullpen is Vance Worley, who got Prado to ground out on Friday night. Perhaps Manuel is hesitant to burn his two most stretched-out relievers in one inning, which would have left him with Danys Baez and Scott Mathieson as the two multiple-inning-type guys should the game go to extras.
The other option, then, was Stutes. Problem is, he would essentially be calling on Stutes to face one hitter, since lefty McLouth, switch-hitter Jones, and lefty Hinske were due up. Assuming Stutes retired Prado, lefty Antonio Bastardo would have pitched the seventh.
At that point, the play would have been to call on Worley for the eighth and, hopefully, ninth (assuming the Phillies were still down or the game was tied). Mathieson, Baez and Madson would then be the guys from that point on.
Manuel also could have called on Bastardo to face Prado, who is 0-for-2 against him, leaving him in to face McLouth-Jones-Hinske. He then might have had either Stutes or Worley for the eighth or ninth.
Whatever things Manuel envisioned, it's a safe bet that they did not go according to plan.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for easy access to all of our Phillies coverage, plus app-exclusive videos and analysis. Get it here.
You have too much time on your hands, its game 38 for f's sake!— rumple- Seriously, it's not like he gets paid to do this. — sklroy
- I agree that leaving Kendrick in against Prado was a poor decision, but I think Manuel wants to see if Kendrick can pitch in these situations (which it seems he can't) and the Phils had only three hits in the game. This was a high leverage situation in a game the Phils weren't likely to win. I think we are learning a lot about Romero, Baez and Kendrick as Contreras and Lidge are preparing to return. One more thing on Worley--until Oswalt has his bullpen, the jury's out on whether he may need five innings on Tues.— tgray83
- Bummer for your fantasy league, huh? As with all sports writers, 20/20 hindsight. Try making the decision on the fly; who gives two poops what you think. Get a life.— David Sirkin
- dave it is scary you would spend so much time analysing every single move. what is the phils record? 13-25? get life. try interviewing some player for a change instead of your convoluted theories. as you can see, with three comments, no one cares what you think is important.— TheSage
- kendrick needs to show some heart. I know he wants to be a starter but anytime you are called on to perform you have to do it. he doesn't. cardinals and houston desperate for bullpen help, let's send them lidge, romero and baez for a bag of hammers and 3 guys named moe.— notch44
- I'm concerned that the fightins' just can't continue to battle back in tough games only to get SOFT late inning results from Kendrick and Baez. Neither one comes in with a lot of confidence, I'd rather take my chances with Stutes ,Bastardo or someone else from Lehigh— frisch16
- Good work as usual David, pay no attention to the peanut gallery— frisch16
- Irregardless of who pitched today.....you generally don't win a ny ballgames inwhich you get 3 measly hits.......same song different city....— Mark1npt
- Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Nothing else to write about?
- Maybe Dave should be the manager, seems like he knows sooooo much more than Charlie. It's always easy to manage after the game.— simplefreedom
- learn from your mistakes and don t make the same mistake in the next game— hardball
- you know why bobby cox only won 1 WS? because he is as dumb as cholly, this is why hcolly will only win 1, 100% complete ineptness at understanding the game— tooltime
- Kendrick's failure to realize there was a catcher trying to run out a two-out bunt was the key play. Stay on your feet, pickup the ball, set your feet, throw to first. There's a reason why a catcher has never led the majors in stolen bases in any season.— bigdaddyjimbo
Bad decision? Yes, but Kendrick should be able to do the job. He just doesn't seem to care.— wylies99- Doesn't care? lol. I suppose every guy that comes in and fails doesn't care.. — pattymac3
- Bigdaddy is correct. Yes, charlie has been known to struggle with the everyday gametime decisions with bullpen use since he was a manager in Cleveland. That isn't going to magically correct itself anytime soon. That being said Kendrick is absolutely clueless on the mound. He's the perfect example of a guy that will never get over the hump because he's one of those guys that will always have the mental lapse, won't be aware of whats happening on the field. Like any fielder he should be aware of who's running and their speed, etc. He's always going to be that guy who drives the coaches crazy to go along with his lack of talent. This is why he will spend his career up and down from the minors and being bullpen fodder for teams.— Sewellmatt
- i generally don't have any complaints with charlie or the phils in general and try not to second guess. but i don't have a problem with a writer expressing in words what i'm sure a lot of fans are thinking. whether i agree or not, it is david's job after all. oh and @Mark1npt, 'irregardless' is not a word. 'regardless' will suffice.— esesjay
- Its easy to be a Monday Morning QB, but Manuel has to try and balance the work load. Stutes pitched yesterday and Kendrick hasnt pitched in 4 days. Not to mention Kendricks ERA is actually half of what stutes is. And Martin Prado is Martin Prado, You should have to pull your hair out worrying to pitch to him, He's not Ted Williams for christ sake and this isnt a playoff game. They still have the best record in the league, I'm not going to question Manuel on this.— 8131anthony
- Yes it's still early but a familiar bullpen issue plays out. Romero is either hurt or when he pitches can't throw strikes. Boston got rid of him because he kept walking batters. JC never makes it easy and often walks someone.
Kendrick comes in and can't field the bunt, walks the pitchers and serves up a ball to Prado that my Grandmother could hit.
Not that the Phils were likely to come back in this one, but it would be nice for the Pen to hold them after we cut the lead to 2-1.
Friday night - Stutes, Bastardo, Worley and Madsen were solid.
Romero, Kendrick and Baez are all weak.
Even with our record, our hitting could be much better. They just lost to Jurgens a week ago, how about trying something different.
Why not take more pitches or move up in the box. No plate discipline. Francisco can't get his bat on the ball when he needs to move runners. This team can't get productive outs and move runners.
While we have Doc going Sunday, the real questions is will we score some runs.— Fan74 - Meh. With the bullpen in the shape it's in you have to expect to give up some runs sometimes. Charlie is doing a decent job spreading it around, they need Contreras though. I actually really like how the bullpen is shaping up. With Big Truck back and (I assume) a deadline acquisition they are going to have a solid 6 man crew.— sla6yer
- uuuhhh.....we are 25 - 12, right? Go Doc and Go Phillies!— flyerdup
- Romero has no command right now and seems to be afraid to throw strikes. In the end it doesn't matter since like most games they lose, they lose by swinging at unhittable pitches and giving the pitcher an easy time of it. In one of Polanco's unsuccessful at bats, Jurrgens threw 8 straight balls that were far out of the strike zone.— jtj06
At this point, I don't understand why Kendrick is even in the major leagues. He needs to go. Dump him.- Kendrick is absolutely nothing but trash— shawnmac
- Your thoughts always appreciated Murph. The Bullpen decisions ishe top topic from yesterday. I think they need to see Kendrick as a starter or a long relievr, period. He doesn't have the psyche to handle the pressure of situational relief. Worley now fills the role of both long and situational relief making Kendrick dispensable.— greenflyer
- Does anyone ever give the other team credit?— dwilly
- Ah yes....posters objecting to intelligent analysis....now that's a shock.— TheLon
- Second guessing Chuck is a daily thing but really is a waste of time. He is seriously clueless out there, which makes it quite comical to how he is going to mismanage the game that day. Whether it is not sac bunting runners over with no out and a man on second in the 8th or even allowing Kendrick to put on a uniform is funny. Anyone who watches the Phillies closely knows Chuck is clueless so you learn to expect these decisions. He is watching the game just like us. What has Mayberry done to not get some consistent play over Francisco? I wouldn't be shocked to see Big Ben stay in the lineup until his average drops way below .200 and I know he is not in the game for his defense. Chuck is loyal to his players and in the past his talented players have bailed him out. Very similar to our friend Andy Reid, who is a terrible day game coach.— jollyrancherk3
- Chris "Wheels" Wheeler concurs 100% with this analysis. When two geniuses agree you know it's the truth.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
Nice breakdown David. I agree with the line of reasoning, except for the fact that Kenrick doesn't seem to pitch as well out of the stretch. He seems to be a better pitcher when handed the ball at the beginning of an inning, as opposed to trying to clean up someone elses mistakes.- KK, with his 1.83 ERA has certainly done a terrible job for the Phillies so far. His 5 inning spot start against the Braves a week ago was terrible, how dare he allow 2 hits and a walk for that game! For shame Kyle Kendrick for having the audacity to breathe the same air that Philsfan56, SwellMatt or any other haters out there breathe. And that Charlie Manuel, oh how he dare lose a game! He and his .563 winning percentage as the Phils manager is a pox on everyone. "Bring back Lee Elia" cry the masses! He clearly has pushed all the wrong buttons in guiding this team to 6 straight winning seasons, 4 straight division titles, 3 straight NLCS berths, going to 2 WS in a row and winning the WS, all the while improving the teams win total every year since 2006. Oh, woe is the life of a Phillies fan! I wish the Priates played here, they have done nothing but win the last 18 years.— ESFjellin
- I'm tired of everyone ripping Charlie. I'd like to see who could do better with the bullpen pitchers he has to work with. He uses the "educated guess" system to choose who pitches and when. It will get better when Contreras and Lidge get back....although we have no idea which version of Lidge we'll be getting. Kendrick should be traded, if someone will take him. He'll never be an effective relief pitcher because he can't strike anyone out and has a tendancy to walk hitters he shouldn't be walking. Romero just has a tendancy to walk everyone, and when he doesn't, he's getting hit hard. It would help if the offense could score some runs though. It might keep the starters in longer.— SteveS11
- For what its worth, if anyone thinks the Phillies miss Chad Durbin, he's chugging along with a 6.14 ERA at Cleveland.— SteveS11
- The weakest link in the whole pitching staff is Romero. The second absolutely worst thing a reliever can do when he comes into a game, is walk a hitter. The first of course, is giving up a home run in a one run game.— Ron
- Kendrick has neither the tenacity nor the ABILITY to be counted on for "situational" pitching ((relieving). You start him and hope he gets on a roll, or use him in long relif to avoid "wasting" GOOD pitchers.— recGUY
- Rumple, I'm with you. These guys actually have nothing to complain about, so they make up stuff. The Phillies, for all of the injuries they have already absorbed, have one of the best records in all of baseball. When confronted with that fact, guys like Murphy have to invent something to stir the troops.— EPC FAN
- Kendrick is not a reliever, period. He should not be put in a situation he's not familiar with.— EL Zorro
