Charlie's Hunches Work
Charlie Manuel shuffled his lineup and had a quick hook with his starting pitching last night in Pittsburgh. It worked.
Charlie's Hunches Work
Todd Zolecki
Charlie Manuel had a few hunches yesterday at PNC Park.
He had a hunch Chris Coste would do the job in the five hole. He had a hunch that it would a good time to give Brad Harman his first big-league start. So what happened? Coste went 3 for 5 with a double and three RBIs, and Harman went 1 for 3 with a double and one RBI in a 6-5 victory over the Pirates. But that wasn't Manuel's only two hunches. He had a quick hook for Adam Eaton in the fourth inning, when Eaton allowed four extra-base hits, three runs, a walk and a wild pitch. When Eaton fell behind 3-0 to Brian Bixler, Manuel made his way to the steps in the visitor's dugout. When Eaton walked him on four pitches, Manuel walked onto the field to pull Eaton -- even with pitcher Zach Duke coming to the plate.
"He didn't have a whole lot when he started the game, I felt like," Manuel said. "But I felt like, through three innings, he did make a pitch when he had to every now and then. Then, in the fourth inning, they were hitting the ball hard. He was starting to struggle. I thought they were catching up with him. And if you want to know the truth, I didn't think he was going to hold them. So I took him out."
The bullpen allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings to preserve the win.
Tom Gordon threw a scoreless seventh to pick up the win. Gordon is 2-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 10 appearances since Opening Day. Opponents are hitting just .147 against him in that stretch. J.C. Romero threw a scoreless eighth. He is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 12 appearances. He has struck out 10 in 11 1/3 innings and opponents are hitting .214 against him. Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his sixth save. He is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 11 appearances. He has struck out 12 in 11 innings and oppenents are hitting just .128 against him.
That's a pretty good 1-2-3 combo.
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In the Phillies Notebook, more on Manuel's decisions to play Harman, move up Coste in the lineup and bench Ryan Howard. Kind of.
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Nice win. The BP holding on was as impressive as the 6 runs early. Charlie, though, is doing Howard no favors by having him pinch hit. He looks more lost with each AB. Seriously. Physical ailments usually heal, but what goes on between the ears is the scary stuff - and this was definitely an issue last year. How do you teach a guy fundamentals when he's 28 years old? Go read the Bizzinger book on LaRussa (hate the man, great book). In it Pujols is an absolute fiend about studying film and preparation. I wonder if Howard is half that diligent.— John in LA- Couldn't agree more! Chase is almost obsessive about studying film. And what is he batting? 360? I'm also a big proponent of using sports psychologists. Other teams use them. Maybe the Phillies should get on-board.— Norma
- Last night will go down as an interesting date in Phillies history because several options started to emerged that do not include Ryan Howard. Brad Harman showed that Utley to first and a Harman/Cardenas, righty/lefty hitting platoon at second is not out of the question at some point. Another option will be big 21 year old first baseman Michael Durant who hit another bomb for Lakewood last night. This guy from the right side is tied for second in homers in the SAL with 6 homers in only 20 games which projects to over 40 for the season. Hitting at the Bank would be ideal for this big bopper.— Dull
Comment removed.- Charlie is a lot better manager than he's given credit for. He seems to be very good with players as opposed to baseball strategy. You won't see Charlie pull a Whitey Herzog move and have his right handed closer play right field when a tough left hander comes up, bring in a left hander then move the closer back to pitcher. Charlie's eyes would go googly pulling off moves like that. But as far as smoothing over a guy and getting the guy to feel good about himself or just leaving a guy alone, well, Charlie is your man. He can probably boot you in the ass when you need it to. He's just not a great public speaker. He seems like one of the good guys in baseball and I hope the Phils win him a World Series.— johnnyp
- Interesting day in Phillies history? Harman the next coming? Michael Durant hits a homer in Lakewood? The Phillies should add a sports psychologist to go along with the chiropractor? Seriously, this is priceless and sad all in one.— Truth
- What are your suggestions, Truth? You're so quick to criticize, but never offer any solutions. Except to keep your boyfriend, Howard, happy.— Norma
- HEY! What happened to my comments on Charlie Manuel. I said nothing negative. In fact I said he was doing a heck of a job. He has a great feel for making players feel good about themselves and probably kicks butt when he has to. I think what's said and done in the locker room, stays in the locker room. Most of all I think he just has the ability to leave guys alone when it's needed. I think he's positive and upbeat until you go into a mental dulldrum. I'm happy for him and hope the Phils get to the World Series for him.— johnnyp
- HEY! What happened to my comments on Charlie Manuel. I said nothing negative. In fact I said he was doing a heck of a job. He has a great feel for making players feel good about themselves and probably kicks butt when he has to. I think what's said and done in the locker room, stays in the locker room. Most of all I think he just has the ability to leave guys alone when it's needed. I think he's positive and upbeat until you go into a mental dulldrum. I'm happy for him and hope the Phils get to the World Series for him.— johnnyp
