In this case, there's no question Manuel made the right call
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In this case, there's no question Manuel made the right call
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
There is no question Charlie Manuel made the right move last night in removing Kyle Kendrick from a 3-0 game for a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth inning. Sure, the Phillies lost 4-3. But you can't blame Manuel.
Rationale?
1) In his first two starts of the season, Kendrick threw 107 pitches total. Last night, he threw 108 pitches through eight innings.
2) Due up in the ninth inning were Martin Prado, Chipper Jones and Brian McCann, who had combined for the only four hits that Kendrick had allowed on the night, including a double by Jones in his previous AB. In their careers of Kendrick, McCann and Jones were a combined 13-for-34 with three home runs, four doubles and six walks off of Kendrick.
3) The most pitches Kendrick had ever thrown in a major league game was 113. That came on June 25, 2008 at Oakland. Kendrick also allowed four hits in eight scoreless innings that day. Manuel also took him out after the eighth inning (in that case, with a 4-0 lead). The Phillies won, though, so you might not remember.
4) Kendrick was due up in the top of the ninth.
On top of all of that, the Phillies entered the season with an opportunity to find out if Ryan Madson could succeed as a regular closer. If Brad Lidge comes back healthy and effective, they might not need that knowledge. But better to get it now and not need it than to be in a position of trial-and-error after the trade deadline.
Manuel made the call. The Phillies lost. But correlation does not equal causation.
In this case, the call was the correct one.
Murph: Man, isn't that the question this morning! Yes, Charlie made the right decision in getting Kendrick out...I thought he should have got him out after the 7th when Braves started tagging him. Charlie's wrong decision was who to bring in after he pulled Kendrick. Kendrick had been successful through 6 with his low-ball stuff. Charlie should have brought in a fresh low-baller, Durbin or Herndon. But Charlie Manuel is a knucklehead, a dope, who has been lucky to be with an organization and a GM who has loaded his roster up with talent and guys who play with a lot of heart.- Not Charlie's fault.— Steve Jeltz
I am so sick of hearing about pitch counts. If a guys is effective leave him in. If he getting knocked around take him out. As much as everyone wants it to more complicated, it really is just that simple!- We've been down this road before with Madson. Those who do not learn from history...um..do what? Bringing in a reliever for the 9th is the right call. Madson? Not so much.— scootch
- Last night finally convinced me that Madson is truly not the closer of the future. I had little hope to begin with after last year but 3 runs to a team that looked like the Lakewood Blueclaws for 8 innings off a guy with a 17 ERA...Really? Kendrick pitched a gem but the braves have already been no hit this year and the only viable threat for the long ball is a 20 year old rookie. Then to make things worse Contreras gives up the long ball to a guy batting 140 with no homers...come on! Madson is a set up man and a pretty good one. If Lidge gets lit up again Amaro really needs to pick up the phone and Heath Bell sounds good to me.— Phillyphan26
- BULL !— no5forme
- Is it obvious yet that our pitching needs to be addressed?— SPRUI02
- bottomline, awful LOSS.— iali76
- If a starter is mowin em down and still has gas in the tank...pitch him...full stop.— psuwelsh
- Yes, Madsen is soft. Career save opportunities 38. 18 saves, 20 blown. He can't handle it.
- Chollie made the right call. Unfortunately Madson made the wrong pitch. Twice.— F. Harry Stowe
- Poor Charlie. All he has is a Hobson's Choice which like no choice at all if he makes that call to the bullpen for a Closer in tonight's game. Baez, Madson and Contreras have all been lit up. It's like "take it or leave it ". Ego, Doc must go all 9 tonight because Charlie has no other choice so leave them in the pen if the game is on the line just like he should have done last night with KK.— Dull
- %#$@ Madson and his &*(#%*$ straight fastball. Who couldn't predict what was going to happen when the Golden Child Heyward came to bat (even though it was a change up)? The guy is not a closer. Period.— reidbetweenthelines
- maximusud is like a typical negadelphian, stuck on the bad season Lidge had last year and foretting about the year before that. It was 2008, I remember well, Lidge started the season on the DL and had to get a cortisone shot. You know what, the 2008 season worked out pretty well for him, well enough to get a pass for last year, he is not the reason we lost the WS. as far as Cholly taking him out, at 108 pitches you can't deny the logic but he was in a zone, I might have let him at least let him try. Madson is NOT the answer at closer.— billyc28
- Absolutely was the right call in this era of Baseball, when EVERY team but the Rangers under Nolan Ryan's influence, use the pitch count. I said it before the season began (I was not alone) that Lidge was the key for this team; how the Phillies won last season without a closer was amazing, but a key down the stretch, remember, was Lee and his ability to pitch complete games, much like Halladay. Last night Kendrick was feeling good about himself, had had not thrown that many pitches in a game since last season, and Manuel has to find out if he can count on Madson (he cannot) as his closer. The REAL problem IMHO is this: the Phillies knew that they could not count on Lidge this season, coming off elbow and knee surgeries and yet, when they traded Lee, they did NOT go after a major-league or top minor league closer. There is nobody on this team who can close, NOT Contreras, NOT Baez (not at this stage of his career), NOT Durbin, NOT Romero (when he returns), NOT Bastardo (too wild), NOT Herndon (although has potential with that sinker), NOT Figueroa, and certainly NOT Madsen. Nor is there anyone in the system. The Phillies have a serious problem here, that somehow needs to be addressed, sooner rather than later.— chuckw
