Phillies show restraint in wake of marathon lost
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Phillies show restraint in wake of marathon lost
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
If you are curious about the lack of fire and brimstone emenating from the Phillies clubhouse in the wake of their 16-inning, 5-hour-and-20-minute fiasco of a loss to the Astros last night, know this:
Baseball is a game of controlled aggression, not only on its playing surface, but in the interpersonal relationships that lubricate its machinations.
A player must keep that in mind when he is dealing with his teammates. A manager must keep it in mind when dealing with his players. And all of the above must keep it in mind when they are dealing with the umpires.
"I don't know a team in baseball that got anywhere complaining and arguing about the umpires," Charlie Manuel said after one of the more bizarre games you will see.
Most games unfold in a three-act structure, but not this one. No, this was all set-up and conflict, with the resolution remaining very much in doubt. There was a concrete short-term finish, with the Phillies losing a marathon battle that kept them from pulling to within 1.5 games of the Braves in the NL East. But as the clubhouse quickly emptied, there was an air of uncertainty about how a team might respond in the wake of such an emotional defeat.
At first glance, the Phillies appeared to emerge in good health from a precarious set of circumstances that included their newly-acquired veteran righthander playing left field, their veteran left fielder playing first base, and their bullpen stretched to a point where Thursday starter Kyle Kendrick was preparing himself to take the mound. When Ryan Howard was ejected for throwing his bat and helmet after an appealed check swing strikeout to end the 14th with the winning run on third, it touched of a tense sequence of events that culminated in Roy Oswalt entering the game as an outfielder and Raul Ibanez moving to a position he last played in 2005.
Howard, who was called for two check swinging strikes for his fifth strikeout on an 0-for-7 night, charged third base umpire Scott Barry after Barry ejected him.
"I've never seen him upset like that," Manuel said. "I've seen him mad, but he was pretty upset."
After Howard was restrained and order was restored -- Ross Gload, currently on the disabled list, was also ejected, apparently for yelling from the dugout -- the Phillies were left with just seven available players to fill eight positions. Ibanez, who played first base early on in his career, volunteered his services, although he was probably the only option. After initially taking a first base mitt from pitcher Joe Blanton, he switched to the glove that reserve first baseman Mike Sweeney usually uses in games.
Oswalt, scheduled to start on Friday in San Diego, trotted out to left field to face his former teammates. He ended up recording the first out of the 15th, shagging a fly ball that Jason Castro hit directly at him. Ibanez recorded the last two, taking a flip from Herndon for the second out, then fielding a Michael Bourn bunt and making a diving tag of first base for the third.
"There's a saying in baseball," Ibanez said. "The ball will find you."
The Phillies ultimately ran out of gas in the 16th. David Herndon, who had already pitched a scoreless 14th and 15th, loaded the bases with one out and then allowed a single and a groundout, both of which pushed a run home.
"I felt fine," Herndon said. "I think I cut a few balls off. Physically, I felt fine."
Herndon threw 50 pitches, a season-high, but not abnormally-so. Previously this season, he has thrown outings of 49, 45 and 41 pitches.
Overall, the Phillies pitching staff kept them in the game longer than you might have thought. Cole Hamels allowed two runs in seven innings, but was on the hook for the loss until Jimmy Rollins tied the game on a home run with two out in the bottom of the ninth. Brad Lidge threw his 10th straight scoreless outing, twice as long as any stretch he put together last season. He also did not walk a batter for his 10th straight game, tying a career-high. Ryan Madson pitched for the 8th time in 11 days and recorded a scoreless inning. Every other Phillies reliever aside from Herndon entered the game and left without giving up a run.
Oswalt ended the game by grounding out with runners on first and second and the remaining crowd loudly chanting his name.
Besides the loss, the Phillies emerged from the night unscathed. Now, the question is how they will rebound. Their next off day doesn't occur for another 14 days. During that span, they will play 15 games.
"We'll find out," right fielder Jayson Werth said. "I know I haven't been playing the game as long as some people, but that's the first I've seen of anything like that. I'm not even going to say what I want to say. I'm going to sleep on it."
It was a sentiment echoed by all of the Phillies who spoke to the media in the aftermath of the loss. For the second straight night, a member of the umpiring crew made a crucial split-second decision that could have changed the outcome of the game.
Was Barry right to toss Howard in that situation? Should he have taken into consideration the extenuating circumstances of the game? Or was Howard's post-strikeout reaction, combined with the earlier hard look he tossed toward Barry after the ump called an earlier check swing a strike, grounds for immediate dismissal?
"I don't have anything to say," Ibanez said diplomatically.
Howard was not available for comment afterward.
"I'm sure it was just something that built up from the first check swing," center fielder Shane Victorino. "Is it right? Is it wrong? I don't know. I'm not the one to make the judgment on that. . .We've just got to move on. YOu've got to understand that it's his discretion on how he feels. . .Scott's a great guy, but a situation like that, hopefully he can be a little more lenient in that situation. Ryan is not a guy that's going to get upset. But who's right, who's wrong? I'm not going to say anybody is right or anybody is wrong. Scott made his decision and it is what it is. We've just go to overlook that and find a way to win and unfortunately we didn't."
Put simply, the Phillies know they need to score more than two runs in 16 innings against a last-place team if they hope to end this regular season in the same place they have ended the last three. And they know they can't afford to add the umpires to the already-lengthy list of enemies they must combat.
Once again, a bad call, is used as camouflage for what is really ailing this team: NO CONSISTENT OFFENSE! The team has been weaker with "The Big Piece", who has played like a missing piece, with four strikeouts BEFORE the umpiring incident. Then again, the clueless will argue, peering into their crystal balls, that Howard would have gotten a hit. But he was flailing at pitches for two days now without contact. Great pitching from Hamels gets lost in this story, and the usual paint by numbers "matchup" managing. Who says Dom Brown shouldn't get into the game against a lefty. Instead, Cholly burned two players for nothing. Sigh...I need to sleep this one off too........I wonder what bizarre play will occur today?
Let's face it. If the Phils are only going to score 1 or 2 runs a game, it is over. Perhaps they should fire Greg Gross. As a matter of fact, they should bring in a new hitting coach each week to "wake" the guys up.— Byter- It's hard to kill Howard for his terrible night, and for allowing himself to lose it--as Howard is generally a pretty cool customer. If he knew how short-handed the team was, he should have kept his cool. Let's hope there's no suspension--shouldn't be if they factor in his high character and good track record. The Phils had to score in the bottom of the 15th after Oswalt recorded a putout and Ibanez beat Burn to the bag. If they did, then we'd be chuckling over the late-inning circumstances. As it was, this was a tough one.— MG44
If Howard wasn't so unsure and always check swinging, this wouldn't have been an issue.- The most offensive thingee last night was NO OFFENSE. Losing again to the 'stros was a very bad omen. Howard needs to forget about umps and work on his swing.— mick314
No excuses, but that ump sure has a chip on his shoulder. Obviously, the Phillies need to hit a lot better, but this umpiring crew really stands out as the worst all season. The call was bad, but it happens. No excuse for that guy to goad Howard though...- Dave - both you and Sam Donnellon refer to Houston as a last place team. Did the Cubs and Pirates moved to a different division in the middle of the night ? This is very strange reporting.— VitoCorleone
Comment removed.- Still you can't lose two to the Astros, especially at home. And why the heck can they score runs for Hamels. Imagine what Hamel's record would be if they gave him a 4-5 runs per start. I'd bet we'd be sitting where the Braves now are— IrishJoe
- Umpires are protected by the union and as usual the union does not clean up its messes. Sub par people allowed to continue at the cost of the game.— Kcsplash
- Unlike Shane, I'm not afraid to say who's right and who's wrong. The umpire was WRONG. As someone who used to umpire, I can tell you Barry was completely unprofessional. Throwing someone out of the game is supposed to be a last-ditch action when either a player or manager makes contact or interferes with the continuation of the game. As for the idiots here who blame Howard, consider this-- thrown helmets and snide comments happen every game. Being ejected for doing so does not.— everydayguy
- I don't blame Howard for the ejection, but maybe if he didn't come into that at-bat with 4 strikeouts already, the check-swings may have been considered checked. He's really struggling of late and that's not the umpire's fault. Seriously, considering the streak he's on, do you think he would have knocked in any runs in the 16th? I don't.— kmon
I used to tell my kids when they played in little league: If you're not going to give the umpire credit for winning the game, you can't blame him for losing the game. On the other hand, this crew stinks.— John621- Right on everydayguy, all true and we've still got to score more than 2 runs especially against a team like the Stro's. This was a huge lump to take but when it's over and we look back on the adverseries of this season it'll be all the more valuable. I think this will make us even stronger to over come so many high hurdles this season and what a list of them it's been so far...unbelievable.— J-Joe
- I tend to agree with "everydayguy". Baseball people are always saying a player should never try to show up an umpire and make him look bad. Well that goes both ways. After the "strike 2 checked-swing", when Howard threw his hands on his hips, the ump immediately did the same thing in an obvious attempt to mock Howard and get a reaction, which he did on the next pitch when he called him out after he did manage to check his swing. The ump should be booted back down to the minors where he belongs. As bad as Howard is swinging the bat right now, I would still rather he be the one at the plate with 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the 16th instead of Oswalt.— phillyjim7
- howard needs to stop check swinging— NRA AL
- Howard is 0 - 11 in this series with 8Ks. That is NOT the umpiring! He needs to look in the mirror and understand he needs to do what it takes to earn the money he's making. The Ump? Sure he was baiting Howard and sure he was an idiot making it all personal to the point where he screwed the Phillies. But Howard needs to earn his money right now - not worry about an umpire.......— bmcw
- Howard goes through stretches like this all the time, but he also gets impossibly hot too and will carry the team for weeks. I have to believe they will start hitting (although it is kind of pathetic right now). The umps are terrible and think they are part of the game rather than just being there to enforce the rules. Something needs to be done by MLB, but it won't because Selig is an idiot.— harry & whitey
- NOthing good came from this game and there was no way the Phils were gonna win that game. The only two players who had a chance wefe Ibanez and Ruiz and he was taken out in 10th or 11th. Ibanez hit one in about the 12th that if it would have stayed fair the PHils would have won and the ball Pence caught looked like it might have been a HR. Its like the Phils are coming off of steriods or something. Nobody can muscle a ball out of the park. Howard hit a ball early in the game that looked like it might be a HR but Bourn caught it deep,then next inning Carlos Lee showed him how to do it. Chase's swing looks so weak and harmless! All WErth can do is hit doubles, he had a double in the first game that should have been a HR but couldnt seem to get it out of the park. Previous years, all the doubles by Werth and Ibanez were HR's. This teams lack of power is getting alarming. You cannot win with huge wholes with your 3,4,5 hitters and VIctorino doesnt deserve to be starting, I get the feeling victorino has gotten way too comfortable, epecially with him being locked up for a couple more years. I loved how the phils were playing with Utley, Howard and Vic gone! Charlie needs to split UTley,Howard and Werth up right now. Rollins, our leadoff guy cannot get caught stealing third! Not in that situation,Sweeney and Gload were doing awesome at 1st and IMO Howard has been the cause of losing these two games. 1st game, all he had to do was flip the ball to Utley and Howard striking out 5 times and going 0-6 killed the PHils. Its not racist, to say that Howard too easy of an out for opposing pitchers and even rookie pitchers. Any pitcher that doesnt strictly throw Howard low breaking balls is a fool HOward is just a bad ball hitter and pads his numbers on sub par pitching but his stats are useless with the game on the line because he always seems to strikeout in big situations. ALl the Phils need is a hitter with good average to hit 4th, Howard's all around play really huts PHils!
- it's hard to believe when you look at this lineup on paper that they can not score runs... except for polanco and ruiz, every guy is this lineup has become a swing-and-miss waiting to happen.
- Did the umps cost them the game? No, of course not. The lack of offense cost them the game. Howard probably would have struck out in that final at bat anyway. That said, the umps in MLB are out of control and have been for years. The worse their calls get, the worse their attitude gets. The umpires need to be accountable, they are there to keep the game under control but every night you seem them instigating and fanning the flames. I can't imagine where they get the egos and inflated sense of self importance, but it's got to stop.— JettMartinez
- Comment removed.
- I'm starting to revert to my pre-World Series view that Manuel is a goofball who costs the time 5-7 games a year with his bonehead moves. Using Dominic Brown as a chess piece was par for the course. Idiot Charlie uses up his players without even getting them an at-bat or a turn in the field or on-base or whatever. All so that one of his Cleveland pets, Mr. Mediocrity Ben Francisco, could swing at the first pitch or two put a lifeless ball into the outfield. And why didn't Kendrick come in? You absolutely had to know that Herndon is not good enough to win this game for you, particularly after he miraculously managed two scoreless innnings. I'll blame this on Charlie, and, of course, a pathetic offense.— Darrell Van Horn
- The Phils are about to go on a tear. Their ability to put this game behind them will also help them regain their focus. So it is written, so let it be done!— frankenslade
- How do umps get away with attitude, let alone ineptitude? You do not see this arrogant, confrontational attitude in any other Major Sport. Does MLB have any say over them? The Bourne play the previous game, Gibson wouldn't consult with Homeplate UMP(it was Barry, maybe why). If he was sure he was right, why not? I thought getting it right was the first priority. Can you imagine Jeter getting ejected like that in NY? He waould be sent back to AAA and never see the Majors again . Selig has to bring in the reins on these guys, they are out of control.— moondance
- Tom McCarthy makes me literally sick to my stomach, 16 innings of him will drive you to drink...— kse
- Comment removed.
- Maybe the fire Howard showed will wake the team up. No excuse for Barry's actions; he belongs in the bush league.— WCgrad77
- Someone needs to stick a sock in Wheels' throat. What a complete moron.— DannyMarino
- total b.s by the umpire.It was Howard never gets angry,1 of best players[?] in game and he'd already struck out what 8 x.So he naturally going to be upset that he's getting paid and swings like rusty gate most of time.Ump too sensitive ,but our offense has gone away since Howard re-entered line-up trade Howard for Bourne and play small ball— lawrence2465
- The umps were frustrated last night as well watching two offenses that are completely horrible...you think those guys enjoyed standing out there for hours and hours waiting for one of these scrub teams to score??? Howard is pathetic, you think maybe the Phils should have had him have more than one rehab start???? Phils couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat right now...guess I'll be getting a refund for my playoff tixs. Not going to get any easier going out west this weekend...— tralala
- Phillies play-by-play announcers Tom McCarthy, Scott Franzke and Jim Jackson are absolutely horrible. These announcers have zero ability to judge whether a fly ball is going to be a homerun or a routine out.— Freedom Fries
- Comment removed.
- Mr. Murphy....The Astros are not a last place team, more like middle of the pack. give them some credit.... DennisD— DennisD
- Yes, the Phils didn't hit and that was the reason they lost! On the other hand, Scott Barry is a punk; a Joe West wannabe! Nothing will change the fact that he will always be a punk!— JBinPA
- the only thing that you can depend on Ryan Howard to do, when he is standing at home plate is STRIKE OUT. if he gets a hit it is a surprise.— rcbrooks1
- Does any team in baseball look at more fastball strikes than the Phillies? Every player on this team needs to sit on first pitch fastballs and start hacking...— 26Fan
- Umpires have control of the game from an officiating standpoint. They are supposed to be unbiased and fair. Sometimes they have bad nights like players but the players know this. When an Ump is acting unusual they also know it and once the threshold is reached he gets ridden for all its worth. Sometimes to the point of an ejection or two. After looking at the video of the ump in question last night I'd say he acted out of a prejudice rather than what he knows actually occured. He should be suspended and should never ump a Phils game again. Howards reaction to his blatant bias was not professional but in my opinion perfectly understandable. The league has to do something about this ump.— Wally 24
- It was very nice! it was a concentrate short term finish concept,but as the clubhouse quickly emptied. ******* Mark Sports Academy UK (HTML deleted)— markping
