Motivation for Howard
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Motivation for Howard
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO -- Let this be a lesson in the perils of small sample sizes.
Padres manager Bud Black was faced with two options in the 11th inning of Saturday's 4-2 Phillies win.
He had Chad Qualls against Jimmy Rollins or Corey Luebke against Ryan Howard.
Rollins had faced Qualls six times before. He had two doubles against him. Howard had faced Luebke once, in the seventh inning of Thursday's game, and struck out.
In 12 at-bats this series, Howard had struck out eight times. He had also singled and tripled.
"I liked the matchup, Luebke on Howard," Black said. "Rollins has a history with Qualls. But it doesn't come down to that one play."
Well, it sort of did Saturday. Howard took an 0-1 fastball on the outside corner the opposite way for a two-run double that won the game.
The $125 million slugger said he was not surprised to see Rollins intentionally walked ahead of him -- mostly because of his four strikeouts earlier in the game. But, he was a little taken aback.
"You just try to take it and use it as motivation," Howard said. "I was able to come through."
Yes, Howard had struggled Saturday. But there is a reason pitchers have usually pitched around him and not the guy ahead of him. Whatever you think of Howard -- streaky, overpaid, one-dimensional -- he's a good hitter, who at any time can hurt you.
And right now, for better or worse, he's the closest thing the Phillies have to a constant threat. (That is, besides Placido Polanco, who if you didn't happen to notice, began the 11th-inning rally with a single in his first at-bat of the game.)
Interestingly enough, from best I can tell, the last time a batter was walked in front of Howard was also here at Petco Park. On Aug. 27 2010, the Phillies and Padres were tied, 2-2, in the 12th inning. Rollins led off with a double against righty Ernesto Frieri. Polanco singled him home and advanced to second on the throw home.
So Black intentionally walked Utley to set up the double play (there were no outs) with Howard at the plate. He struck out.
Maybe that's what stuck in Black's head when he signaled for four balls to Rollins on Saturday. Whatever the case, he gave Howard a chance against a pitcher he had seen two days earlier, and the Phillies slugger delivered this time.
"That's how the game is sometimes," Howard said. "All it takes is one time for things to click. It clicked for me at the right time."
And with Roy Halladay on the mound against baseball's worst offense Sunday, the Phillies will go for a sweep.
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I like the way Kendrick has bounced back with two clean innings in his two appearances after that ugly 12 inning the other day. And Bastardo looks like a future closer right now.— EL Zorro- For a team that is 14-6, people sure love to rip this team. The offense? Has been average, but when a hit is needed, this team has been more than clutch. Also, they have struck out the 2nd fewest times in the NL. The bullpen? Much maligned, but they rank #2 in most categories in the NL. Walks are a little high and Ks are a little down, but they have been pretty stellar so far. What happens when this offense picks it up a notch? Long way to go, kiddies still plenty of ball to be played.— ESFjellin
- How about you morons ripping Howard go root for the Mets. What's a matter, did your fantasy baseball team lose? Most RBI in baseball since his rookie year. 19 RBI in 20 games with no help, and he hasn't gotten hot yet. Appreciate what you have, it won't last forever. Maybe we can bring back Von Hayes, Rico Brogna, or Travis Lee. They didn't strike out like Howard.— chuck49
- Howard's problem seems to be, that when he's being pitched around he doesn't take the walk. He swings at trash. He's missing pitches by feet not inches. He would help this team much more if he just let the game come to him as apposed to trying to impact the situation. He looks great physically. He seems to be running really well, I wish he would just take what they give him.— Ron
- Pitching and fielding win games, can't wait for the Phils to really start hitting...wait till the weather heats up...they're doing great.— jss31
- Let's see ... the $125 million dollar man needs "motivation." How about earning your money and learn to hit off-speed pitching, learn how to throw to 2nd base, learn how to become a complete ballplayer, instead of a one-trick pony.— misterhman
- Let's just wait till we play a major league team!!! Mayberry should start today for Raul...— littlerico
- The Phillies won and Ryan Howard won the game. Be HAPPY!!!!!!!— shawnmac
- You could see it in Howard's eyes; there was that extra motivation, spark, whatever - that gave him the will to make it happen...— M60tanker
- Hey big guy, how about making contact in regulation and getting your starting pitcher a win he deserved. Glad that he can get 1 hit for every 4 strike outs.
This won't do when they play good teams.— FatBoy90 - Right on, verve. Not many hits last night, but the one's they got were big. The scary thing about this team is that they are doing so well (in standings--and have room/talent to improve. Gonna be a ride this year!!!— Hackers10
- depressed- exactly! Having a great start and already we're ripping the Phils? Howard gets the game winning runs and we complain about his SOs? OK, Raul is bad right now, I'll give you that, and Charlie has made some 'interesting' decisions on his lineup and substitutions. C'mon people, enjoy the ride! Unless you're a degenerate gambler, sports is supposed to be fun to watch when you're doing well. I have a friend who is a Padres fan- he's not very happy at all right now, but at least he has a reason.— verve
- best record in baseball baby!!!!!
— depressed - ludwick what a pansy! didnt want to hurt himself. not exactly aaron rowand is he! joey b need to hit the weight room so he can finally get a fastball above 87 mph.
— depressed - I couldnt wait to rip ry ho but then he came thru at the end. also in the 10th, chawlie trotting out raul, brian s, and willie v, when he had mayberry, chooch, and polly on the bench?! I mean, do u want to win the game?! u want to rest a guy instead? does it really take so much out of a pro athlete to play ONE inning?! raul is AWFUL and needs a lot of time on the bench, at least a month. If mayberry doesnt get a chance now, will he ever? and does anybody in the front office regret extending ry ho until what 2020? The only possible logic I see for that was they feared pujols would get some insane money and then they be forced to pay ryho MORE than what they already did. It is the only logic. I still dont understand why he strikes out so much after all this time in the league. when ur done on 3 pitches against some guy I never even heard of, its pitiful.
and look at all em fans out there in sd!! red sox nation? how about fightin nation!
— depressed 
Comment removed.- Wait a minute . . . it didn't work out for Bud Black because Ryan Ludwick can't catch a fly ball. If Ludwick can keep his head from bouncing while he runs, Black looks like a genius.— calm weather
