Manuel Getting A Little Peeved
The Phillies lost to the Braves today and dropped to 5-11-1 in the Grapefruit League. Charlie Manuel isn't happy.
Manuel Getting A Little Peeved
Todd Zolecki
The games are meaningless.
Seriously, they are.
But there also comes a time when a manager wants to see some positive results. Charlie Manuel has reached that point after he watched the Braves thump the Phillies today at Bright House Field, 9-1. The Phillies dropped to 5-11-1 in Grapefruit League play. They're tied with the Blue Jays for the worst record in Florida.
Charlie?
"We've got some guys, if you notice, it's good to be relaxed, it's good to be loose, but we've got some guys ... it's about time for us to talk," Manuel said. "We've got some guys that are too cool. There's a fine line in having a real good time and being relaxed and enjoying what you're doing and things like that and taking it for granted and being complacent. It's nothing we can't take care of.
"Some of them like their position. They like how it's going to go. They take for granted that just because they're a regular player that they're always going to be. That's not the right attitude to take. It might be time for us to have a little chat. Really."
The Phillies are hitting .256 this spring, but their regulars have struggled: Jimmy Rollins (.156), Chase Utley (.200), Pat Burrell (.194), Geoff Jenkins (.162) and Jayson Werth (.174). But you know this team is going to score runs. The real issue is pitching. The Phillies have a 6.88 ERA this spring. Now, pitchers like Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer and others have pitched in minor-league games, which skews the numbers a bit. But not that much.
A little more than two weeks to go, folks.
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Righthander Francisco Rosario woke up today a dark horse candidate for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. But in two innings, he allowed three hits, six runs, two walks and hit two batters. That included a grand slam to Yunel Escobar in the second inning.
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The Phillies optioned outfielder T.J. Bohn to minor-league camp. They also reassigned pitchers Josh Outman and Carlos Carrasco and outfielders Greg Golson and Brandon Watson to minor-league camp.
I think it's a good idea for him to sit guys down for a talk, maybe it'll light a fire under them and they'll give us a winning April...or at least an honest try at a successful April.— cg- I'm glad somebody noticed besides me! LOL! I've been just as worried about the hitting as I have the pitching. Especially Chase & J.Roll. I know Charlie doesn't get fired-up often, but it seems when he does, things turn around. Then there's that fine line.....Why should we try very hard? Our pitching will lose us the game anyway. The Phils better turn it around in the next couple of days. I expect to see WINS when I'm in Clearwater next week!!!!— Norma
- Another loss today, but at least J.Roll, Chase and Pat got hits. Doubles for all three. And Eaton actually had a decent outing. Allowed 5 hits in 3 innings, but NO runs. I'm a little concerned about why they put a pinch runner in for Chase. They never do that! Hope he's not hurt. There was nothing on the Phillies site about any injuries. Pat had a pinch runner, too. But that's no big surprise. LOL!— Norma
