Win covers up blunder of yanking Oswalt
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Win covers up blunder of yanking Oswalt
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO — As Roy Oswalt walked off the field having retired 13 Padres in a row, Carlos Ruiz made a prediction.
“You’re going to finish this game,” his catcher said.
But as soon as Oswalt entered the dugout, Charlie Manuel told the righthander he was done. Oswalt was due to leadoff the ninth inning and Manuel wanted to extend the one-run lead. Plus, Manuel said, he had Brad Lidge to pitch the ninth.
“Oswalt had already done good,” Manuel said.
Lidge, of course, loaded the bases with by hitting Ryan Ludwick on the hand with an 0-2 count. Then, one strike away from winning again, he balked in the tying run.
In the end it was a blunder erased later by Jimmy Rollins’ fantastic slide and Chad Durbin’s fine relief as the Phillies won in 12 innings, 3-2.
But Manuel’s decision to remove Oswalt was a head-scratcher — and this is hardly second-guessing.
Oswalt needed just 11 pitches to finish the eighth. He was at 102 and had cruised past the Padres, his only mistake a solo home run to Yorvit Torrealba in the third inning. He had retired 13 San Diego hitters in a row.
If that’s the other Roy — Halladay — does Manuel do the same thing? He’s had a long leash on Halladay all season. Oswalt, apparently, has yet to merit the same trust.
“I wanted to go back out,” Oswalt said. “I feel like I probably could have finished the game.”
Oswalt said he lobbied his manager. Twelve times this season, he has thrown more than 102 pitches in a game. Manuel didn’t budge. He wanted a pinch hitter to begin the ninth with the top of the order due up. He sent Domonic Brown up for Oswalt. The rookie popped out in foul territory behind third base on the second pitch he said.
“But I understand,” Oswalt said.
It very nearly cost the Phillies their chance to gain ground on the Braves for the first time since Aug. 14. Incredibly, the Phils stand just two back of Atlanta despite not having scored more than three runs in five straight games.
Oswalt has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last four starts and has a 1.24 ERA.
“My mechanics have come around after the first start,” Oswalt said.
He was robbed of a fourth consecutive victory Friday. Oswalt has played every bit the part of ace the Phillies expected when they acquired him. He struck out six and walked none against the Padres on Friday.
He threw 78 of his 102 pitches (76.5 percent) for strikes. He wants to pound the strike zone with regularity. Consider that done.
“Actually,” Oswalt said, “I looked down there one time and I had like five balls in the fifth inning or something.”
It wasn’t good enough for an Oswalt victory Friday, but the Phillies still won. And Oswalt has played every bit the part of ace so far.
Maybe it's time for Manuel to start treating the Roys equally.
How in the world do you BALK with the bases loaded????— fansince58- I've said it before and will say it again Charlie isn't very good with pitchers. Either pulls them to early or leaves them in too late. This team has repeatedly won in spite of Charlie with their talent. That being said if they can get some wins out on the West Coast things will be looking good...they play the braves 6 out of the last 9 and I think we match up well against them. Keep it close til then....— mbutley
- Yep. Charlie is terrible with pitchers. He made so many mistakes in 08 that it cost the team.....He made the right move in going to the closer in the ninth. If the Phils tack on an extra run or two in the 8th, like they SHOULD HAVE, then yes, leave Os in. And spitoon is correct, Gelb..if Os loses the game, then you crucify Charlie for leaving him in.— ESFjellin
- IF MY AUNT HAD BALL'S SHE WOULD BE MY UNCLE.— frank martino
- IF MY AUNT HAD BALL'S SHE WOULD BE MY UNCLE.— frank martino
- IF MY AUNT HAD BALL'S SHE WOULD BE MY UNCLE.— frank martino
- That's what a closer is for! To close out the game! Unfortunately Charlie has more trust in the closer than the closer merits! Hold on it's going to be a bumpy ride.— fsenatore
- A really excellent article, firm but respectful. Many of your readers are too young to remember "he got us to where we are" reliever Mitch Williams, who every Phillie fan knew before hand would serve up that home run pitch. I don't remember the manager's name.— John Scanlon
- I agree that Charlie should of let Oswalt pitch in the 9th, for at least one batter. If he gives up a hit or walk, pull him and bring in the closer. What I find amusing (not really) is how Lidge finds all different ways to give up leads. Normally a closer comes in and blows a lead due to hits or walks. Lidge not only does that, but hits guys, balks, and makes error. Even when you think the game is over, like 2 outs with an 0-2 count, he finds a way to give up a run. What is more concerning is how this team played better offensively when Howard, Utley ,and Victorino were on the bench. It's time to sit Howard down for a few games and Victorino is just a waste of space. He comes up small with RISP all the time. If he makes one clutch hit in the Astros series or even last night, the Phillies win 2 of the Astro games and easily win last night. Once again, he comes up with a man on 3rd base with less than 2 outs and doesn't get a run home. Bases loaded with 1 out and the Phillies fail to score. 1st and 2nd with no outs and they can't even get the runner to 3rd. They might be the worst situational hitting team in the majors. All Howard had to do is make contact to the right side, its 2nd and 3rd and than Werth's ground out up the middle scores an insurance run in the 9th. Instead, he strikes out. Also, when is Manual going to wake up and play some small ball? How about having Victorino bunt once or do a squeez play instead of hoping for the big inning? It never happens!— eaglegrn21
- Pinch hitting, on the road/west coast vs. good pitching with....a rookie, who has no experience as a ph (swinging on 2nd pitch)! And, taking out your #2 ACE after only 102 pitches. Like Andy Reid, Charlie thinks his knowledge is superior to any fan or writer. WRONG boys! When fans/writers watch as much sports as we do over a lifetime many of us know as much or MORE, without bias, than the coaches/managers do. Some of us have been serious coaches and understand the nuances from playing/coaching. Got news for you boys,IT"S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE... you're often wrong Charlie with the pitching staff. There's a saying "Give your players/team a chance to succeed. Put them in the correct situ for that to likely happen". Taking Oswalt out after 102 pitches in the 9th and using a rookie to leadoff (swings at the 2nd pitch) is DEAD WRONG on the Little League, High School or major league level. It's called GUESSING or HOPING, Charlie. It ain't rocket science!!! Dead Wrong!!!!!— stoneman
People who are saying Charlie would have been crucified for leaving Oswalt in, if Oswalt had given up the lead, need to think again. With 102 pitches, Oswalt wasn't done. And the fact that he was leading off the ninth is secondary to this fact: Oswalt has been more reliable than Lidge. If I'm the manager, I go with the guy who is more likely to get the outs. And for me, that's clearly Oswalt. He has all his stuff working and, unlike Lidge, he has confidence in all his pitches and isn't easily rattled. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen Oswalt rattled. But Lidge...
Toby, I thought you were a knucklehead. Then, I learned you're an undercover Braves fan, so that made sense. Who in Philly bothers to post on any Atlanta Braves related journalism website? I would only think Phillies fans not living in Philly would do something like that, if anyone at all.— road515- Let's be fair here....While I know I would not have taken Oswalt out in that situation, it isn't like the move was indefensible...with a one run lead on the road and Oswalt leading off, it is just one of those decisions that get made that are either going to work or they aren't. Lidge HAS been good and Charlie is trying to add another run....if Oswalt was due up 2nd or 3rd and no one had reached base before him, I doubt he would have come out of the game...at least I hope not! ( and please ignore what Charlie said...his comment was based upon him leading off) The bottom line is, despite the struggles, the phils are gonna be fine...2 back with a Braves team that is going in reverse at many levels...While it may be painful to watch the offense at the moment, the fact that Jroll yet again led the team to a late W, is always a good sign. To you many doubters, a reminder that we have watched Howard for years...just chill. The man will pull it together soon enough. He always has and was scorching before he got hurt. Try not to get too worked up.— TheLon
- I have noticed an absence of the Cliff Lee adulations now that he has staggered through his last 5 starts without a win including a drubbing at the hands of the Orioles. What happened to all those people who were constantly posting about how we should still have Lee?— flying pig
- There was absolutely nothing wrong with Charlie pulling Oswalt. I imagine most of you know more about baseball than anyone else. Why aren't you guys out there managing? Anyway. 9 out of 10 managers would have made that same move with "Only" a one run lead. Pay attention dummies, i'll type it again. There was "Only" a one run lead. If it had been either at least a 2 run lead, or the pitcher's spot wasn't do up, he would have left Roy in. I am no rocket scientist, and even I know this. It's basic baseball. Charlie made the correct call, but of course Lidge couldn't hold onto the lead. For Ryan Howard: Dude, you are now the second fastest to reach 1000 Ks in baseball history. C'mon man, what the hell are you seeing at the plate. It's like you are seeing a beach ball leave the pitchers hand, but by the time it reaches the plate, it's a marble. Here's a little help Ry, with two strikes, just don't swing. They are going to throw you balls down and outside, over and over again. They know you are going to swing no matter what. If it's a called strike, let the chips fall where they may. MAKE THEM START THROWING YOU STRIKES!! We need you Ry. We know that your bat could carry us into late Oct., early Nov.. spittoon, my point exactly.— Chaz Goodman
