Romero, Contreras aren't providing Manuel much relief
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Romero, Contreras aren't providing Manuel much relief
Marc Narducci
Charlie Manuel had a little fun with the media, although one could see how annoyed the Phillies manager was at his bullpen, or at least the part that almost gave back Friday’s 7-5 win to the Chicago Cubs.
Manuel took Roy Halladay out with a 7-0 lead after seven innings and saw Jose Contreras and J.C. Romero face a total of eight batters and get one out.
It got to 7-5 before Michael Stutes and then Antonio Bastardo closed the door. It was determined before the game that Ryan Madson, who had made four appearances in the previous five days, would have the night off.
And Manuel seemed a little agitated when being asked about pulling Halladay.
“We got a seven run lead going into the eighth, we expect to win the game,” he said.
Then he took a good-natured jab at the media.
“That goes to show you guys getting on me about resting Roy or not taking him out,” Manuel said. “I wish your memory was as good as mine.”
There was laughter in the room, but Manuel wasn’t in a joking mood. He was ticked off that the Contreras and Romero almost handed the game back to the Cubs. Then he did his best to try to publically protect his two relievers.
When asked if he were concerned with Contreras, Manuel said, “I am concerned about him; he needs to get a little sharper.”
A little sharper?
In his last three appearances that totaled just 1 1/3 innings, Contreras has allowed six earned runs.
“He is having command problems,” Manuel said in a less than surprising revelation.
When asked about Romero, Manuel didn’t mention the lefthander specifically but one can tell his patience is wearing thin. Romero faced three batters, surrendering a walk and two hits.
Romero now has issued 12 walks in 15 1/3 innings a ratio that won’t allow him to keep getting the ball.
Halladay said all the right things afterwards, how Manuel was right in making the move, but we wonder how he would have felt had the Phillies blown the game.
It’s amazing that despite all the mini crises (i.e. bullpen, lack of offense) the Phillies are 38-26 and tied with St. Louis for the most wins in baseball.
Still, the Phillies won’t get complacent. That’s why Manuel moved Placido Polanco to the No. 5 hole and he responded with a grand slam.
Nobody was questioning that move.
And quite frankly, pulling Halladay was the right move. He has pitched at least six innings in each of his 14 starts and seven or more innings in 12 starts. In all 14 starts, Halladay has thrown 100 or more pitches.
Even somebody as finely conditioned as Halladay could use a breather once in a while. This was the night to do it even though the ending was far from smooth and the bullpen situation far from settled.
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7 innings, 9 Ks, no walks, no runs, a 7-0 lead. You did your job. Contreras and Romero didn't. Next releiver who gives up a leadoff walk should be pulled immediately.— GreenWing- Someone please explain to me how Romero still has a job. Please!— PhightinPhil
- Contreras is recovering; Romero is inexcusable. I have no idea how he still has a job or got resigned in the first place. Worst player on the team!— RhondaBillings
- By the way...Ryan "Madison"? Defending "publically"? All the mini "crisis"? Please, for the love of all things holy, edit your work. How can we know your facts are right if your grammar isn't?— RhondaBillings
- I had a bad feeling when they took doc out...you gotta think old school when doc in on the mound...his pitch count was at a point he coulda gone eight...sometimes you gotta over look the score and just follow what the pitcher is capable of doing...doc deserved to go back out on the mound with that 7 run lead...good thing they won that game— danielboyer
- Daniel-Give it a rest daniel. It was a perfect time to give Halladay a breather. He has been a horse all year, and there has been a couple of times we have leaned on him, a little much. A 7 run lead with 6 outs to go, was a good time to get him some rest. Contreras needed the work, Romero just plain sucks. Hard to believer they allowed a 5 spot, but it happened. Romero should be sent down, or just plain cut...His lack of control is pathetic...He not only lost his control, but his balls with the PEDS he was taking...He used to at bust people inside with his fastball and at least challenge people...No pills should = no job...— PhilliefaninAZ
Romero is bad, real bad.— Morty Seinfeld- Contreras has always made me nervous, and Romero tries to be too cute with his pitches. At least we have guys like Bastardo, Madson, and Werth on the mend. On a different note, I missed the game on Thursday, but someone told me that the pitcher hit with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth. Why not go for the win with a pinch-hitter? We had no one left to pitch the 11th?— antfort
- Romero? Boooooooooooo.........— Phillyfan666
Comment removed.- I agree with Rhonda. Give Contreras an opportunity to get back in the groove. As far as Romero, what can be worse than a relief pitcher who can't find the strike zone? He looks shakier than Fred Wilpon on payday.— Disco Dave
- lefty relievers are scarce and this is probably the only reason romero is still around...i think he'll develop some "arm stiffness" and go down to the minors after a d.l. stint...hopefully he can regain his command..if not,adios...i agree his stuff is not like it was before the juice,so give him one more chance to straighten himself out or else let him go— jabac
- Who is the other lefty specialist in the orginization? Zagurski. Until they make a trade for one, Romoero a'int going nowhere.— ESFjellin
- Giving Halladay a little rest was the right move. You have to protect the franchise.— 4thand10
