Oswalt's fastball, etc.
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Oswalt's fastball, etc.
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
For a team that had won its previous seven games and was facing a pretty tough pitcher, the Phillies had a surprisingly bitter vibe flowing through the clubhouse after a 4-2 loss to the Mariners Friday night.
I'm guessing it had something to do with Doug Eddings strike zone, which did not appear to be the most consistent piece of open space in the Pacific Northwest (I'm guessing because few of the key players were interested in speaking to the media). In the sixth inning, normally mild-mannered third baseman Placido Polanco got into a heated confrontation with Eddings after he was called out on a check swing. The root of the dispute probably lay in a called first strike that appeared to be well up and out of the zone. The bases were loaded at the time. At point point during the confrontation, Polanco pointed his finger in Eddings face. Shane Victorino dashed in to separate the two, probably saving Polanco from an ejection.
There were other pivotal moments that could have at least prolonged defeat, if not avoided it. In the fifth inning Chase Utley chased down a pop fly from Justin Smoak in foul territory in shallow right field. But the time it took him to turn around and throw home was enough for Ichiro Suzuki to score from third base. Right fielder Domonic Brown was in the vicinity of the play.
Manager Charlie Manuel had not seen a replay when he spoke to the media. In that situation, the right fielder is supposed to call off the second baseman if he has a play on the ball.
"The guy probably gained at least a step-and-a-half, two steps on the run to the plate," Manuel said of Suzuki, who slid home ahead of Utley's throw.
Suzuki scored three of the Mariners' four runs.
"You've got to keep him off the bases," Manuel said. "We weren't able to do that."
In the past, though, Oswalt has been able to strike batters and limit the damage of men on base. Last season, he averaged a strikeout every 3.72 at-bats with runners in scoring position. This year, he has recorded just nine strikeouts in 60 at-bats with RISP, an average of one every 6.67 at-bats. That's probably the result of a fastball that has consistenly sat a couple miles per hour slower than usual. Oswalt uses his fastball more than anybody else on the pitching staff. It's a strikeout pitch for him. So while he has been generally effective since returning from the disabled list, he hasn't been the same dominant pitcher the Phillies saw at the end of last season, when he was able to get out of jams like the ones he faced on Friday night.
Asked if Oswalt is a different pitcher now than he was last year, Manuel said, "I think about that sometimes, but I don't really think so. I think you'll see him come out pretty soon and his fastball will be back where it was. There comes a time when your fastball, not all of it is there. It's just kind of how your arm feels and how you are throwing at the time. Kind of like a hitter not hitting. I think it's just a matter of time before you see his fastball jump up."
Oswalt has consistently brushed off talk about his decreased strikeout total and seemingly less effective fastball.
"I felt pretty good early," Oswalt said. "I was throwing the normal speed I always throw. Just left the ball over the plate (on a home run to Miguel) Olivo. Thought I had (Justin) Smoak popped up on the infield, went a little further than I thought it was going to go (on the sacrifice fly). Other than that, not too bad."
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I have been advocating for weeks now that if Oswalt's back is still an issue, disable him until it is right.
I find it hard to believe that after seven starts since returning from the DL that arm strength is the cause for his diminished velocity.— PhightinPhil- 44 is not sharp, and the rising fastball when on is devastating but off it is brutal. Add the ingredient of a work-in-progress blue who is imagining a new zone to take to the brass for discussion and you have a 4-2 loss. Ugly and sad. Mainly ugly.— Dadof24
- are you serious? baseball players dont throw "rising fastballs" weirdo — Dumpy1133
- Roy #2 is definitely not the same and the concern is increasing— shawnmac
Comment removed.- Last year, Roy Oswalt's W/L was 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA before being traded to Phillies.— road515
- kjly to the bench pls— NewMick314
- One game, let's not get all that hyper about Roy #2 - a concern, yes; ump certainly did not help the cause...— M60tanker
- Little Roy coming up small— Sam Crow
- It certainly does seem like Roy-O is playing out his contract. Its a shame because I think he could still pitch 2-3 more years easily if he had the drive. From the first interview with the Phab Phour in spring training, he seemed disinterested in the hype. Doc, Cliff and Cole were all upbeat and excited and he was ho-hum. I hope he gets hot and it reinvigorates him because he's still more than capable. But I guess the worst case scenario is Doc, Cliff and Cole are your starters in the playoffs. Next year, we use the money to get a RH LF power bat.— guru26
- Roy has always been ho hum! I love the way people think he is just playing out his contract. Probably the same fans who started saying that Lee stunk when he struggled. Just because a guy doesn't show emotion doesn't mean he has none.He hasn't gotten this far by crying over a loss. If he is healthy lets bring this subject up again in Sept. Next few times Cole gives 4 runs he will be bashed also. Long season folks. He came into last night with a 3.14 era. Before we assume he doesn't care anymore how about we wait a few months before declaring he doesn't. — pattymac3
- I really think Oswalt is going to need to learn how to be effective with secondary and tertiary pitches. For what ever reason (age, back, arm strength, all three) he doesn't have the gas on his fastball he used to and the hitters are able to catch up to the movement. He is certainly an effective fourth starter at this point in his career, but not the "ace" we all hoped he'd be.— kdavis2172
- In the 2nd half we will forget all about his 1st half. There is nothing wrong with him. He is pitching to the same era he does at times in the 1st half of a lot of his seasons. We were just spoiled by him last year and thought he would pitch like this all season.He will be there when we need him.— pattymac3
- Give him a break with the W/L record last year. He was playing with the Astros! The fact that he managed 6 wins with that garbage team was a miracle. I agree with the spirit of your comment, though. I kind of suspect that he'll pick it up, and at some point, some of that velocity will return to the fastball. In other words, I think that is something he needs to pitch through, that unless there's a real injury (and there doesn't seem to be), resting him will only send him back into spring training mode.— Mike P
- Oswalt is an excellent No. 4 starter and his outing last night was solid. We scored two runs. That was the story of the game.— eman
