Why not double switch?
There are no mulligans in baseball. And, even if there were, Charlie Manuel says, he still wouldn’t have double-switched when he brought righthander Jose Contreras out of the bullpen, anyway.
Why not double switch?
Paul Hagen
There are no mulligans in baseball. And, even if there were, Charlie Manuel says, he still wouldn’t have double-switched when he brought righthander Jose Contreras out of the bullpen, anyway.
The situation: Score tied at 5. Padres runner at second with one out. Pinch-hitter David Eckstein at the plate. Pitcher’s spot leading off for the Phillies in the bottom of the inning.
Manuel could have put Contreras in the eight spot occupied by shortstop Juan Castro and brought Wilson Valdez in at the same time. But he didn’t.
Contreras threw one pitch. Eckstein hit into a doubleplay. Ross Gload, the Phillies’ No. 1 pinch hitter, was then used to lead off the ninth.
Instead of having Contreras available for another inning, closer Brad Lidge came in to a tie game in the ninth. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning but, after getting in Friday night’s game and warming up Saturday night, was going to be done.
Manuel ended up using his last three bench players in the bottom of the ninth. If Contreras had pitched the extra inning, Lidge could have been available for the 10th. Instead, he had to turn to Danys Baez, who ended up allowing the decisive run.
Even with the benefit of hindsight, Manuel didn’t second-guess himself.
“No. You know why? Because we wanted to make sure we got down to the end of the game,” the manager said. “We wanted to get two innings [out of Contreras and Lidge]. I thought it was very important that we hold them. We were definitely trying to win the game but it didn’t work out that way.”
Comment removed.
He probably thought he was coaching the Indians. Before that, he let weak hitting Castro bat with Schneider in 2nd in the 7th. First, I would have pinch ran Valdez for Schnieder and sent Gload to pinch hit for Castro, who struck out BTW to end the inning. Even if Bud Black brings a lefty, you still have Ruiz (and Francisco) to counter and get the LH reliever out of the way.— EL Zorro- Cholly gave a silly, self-serving excuse. Your idea was better, David.— Delaware Jim
- uh yea but instead he pinch hit ben for castro and kept the inning alive...had polonco not tried getting to third we most likely would have won, because he would have scored, and utley would be on third with one out at the same place the game ended....— MFPhils
- Yeah, Polanco had a brain cramp on that play. My guess is he was trying to ignite the the team a little bit, like when him and Vic manufactured that hit and run a few weeks ago. Sometimes, when there is not help from the dugout, players try to do something about it. This time it didn't work.— EL Zorro
- This wouldn't be an issue of Baez weren't terrible.— kingremi
- This wouldn't be an issue *if* Baez weren't terrible.— kingremi
- Lots of stuff happening in the game at that point. I wouldn't have used Francisco when he used him & he ended up getting a hit. That proves hindsight is a great thing.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- I just signed the firecharliemanuel petition.— EL Zorro
- I'm more and more convinced now that AlexSp is Charlie Manuel's girlfriend. I love this response from the manager: “No. You know why? Because we wanted to make sure we got down to the end of the game,” the manager said. “We wanted to get two innings [out of Contreras and Lidge]. I thought it was very important that we hold them. We were definitely trying to win the game but it didn’t work out that way.” Brilliant! BTW Alex, the clubhouse attendants have WS rings, I guess they are great baseball minds.— EL Zorro
- Charley has never been able to figure this stuff out. Its just too complicated for what his brain can handle. Honestly.— gluteman
- Baez is awful. Period. No control whatsoever.— fcskills
- gluteman. Thank you. If I recall, a few years ago, Charlie stated he didn't quite know how to work the double switch. When the Phillies play great ball his mistakes take a back seat but man, when the Phillies are bad his bone headed moves sure stand out.— SFPhillyphan
- Like it or not, Charlie will end up on a plaque in Ashburn Alley....And he has the stats to back it up.— robjan
- there is something the matter with Utley--mentally or physically?— richweb
