Phillies can't win the close ones
Phillies can't win the close ones
Sam Donnellon, Daily News Sports Columnist
They won these games once. They took advantage of a little thing here, a little thing there, reversed imminent victories for the other team into series-altering losses.
Not anymore. They are that other team now. Officially. They run themselves into outs. They muff double-play ground balls, double-clutch on throws to the plate, watch third strikes pass by with runners in scoring position.
They tie the game, get a runner on second in the eighth inning with no outs last night, have their speedy shortstop at the plate, and don't bunt the runner over.
* Jimmy Rollins picked off in the second inning with his team down by a run.
* Carlos Ruiz waved around by third base coach Sam Perlozzo and thrown out at home for the first out of a four-run fifth inning. He would have scored the inning's fifth run.
* Shane Victorino double-clutched on a throw home with two outs in the fifth. Andres Torres just beat the throw for the Giants third run.
These are the plays of the other team, the plays that haunted the Los Angeles Dodgers over the last two winters, the plays that chilled the Tampa winter of 2008.
The Phillies? They were outpitched by the Yankees last year, that's all. Runs were scored, rallies attempted, plays made. They ran into good pitching, just as they have now.
But they didn't run themselves into the ground the way they have in this series. They didn't give opportunities away. Remember all that talk about playing the game the right way. Well bunting over a runner with nobody out in the eighth inning of a tie game on the road is the right way.
The Phillies are on the brink of going home not because of what happened in the ninth inning of last night's 6-5 loss in the NLCS, but what happened what happened before. In Game 4. In Game 3. In Game 1.
"We're so focused," Giants closer Brian Wilson said after pitching a perfect ninth last night to get the victory. "From the first pitch everyone is jumping around, fists pumping, confident.
``We've put ourselves in a great position."'
Fat Joe ia an embarrassment. A month off and he can't even go five. What a load.— snakeplissken- Kinda feel bad for Halliday now... he thought he was joining a winning team, instead he joined a team on decline. Unless there are big changes to the lineup this off season, we can look forward to years of losing again... 3 good pitchers but nothing to back them up.— PhillyFanNC
- Oddly enough, there's more pressure on them this year. Philly teams have historically lost in the post season when they have been expected to win. They all look and act tight. Eyebrows furrowed. Over swinging. Getting picked off ( on balks). It's a series until the Giants beat either Halladay, Oswalt, or Hamels.— retzlaff
- Lincecum will remember all the tacky comments e.g. hippy/fix your teeth etc, by Philly fans at citizen bank park and come out dealing. Get ready Philly fan you are about to see an ace do his thing. Lets Go Giagantes!!!!!!— Sucka Free City
- Its so funny reading how all these Philly fans are crying. What a shame. I love it! Its great! A throw back in your face for a change! Now they are talking about the Eagles. hahaha! Before long the Eagles will be losing to injuries! To Many better teams than the crashing Birds! All I have to say is I'm happy that you fans have your tissues out! Keep Crying!— MRD
- Its so funny reading how all these Philly fans are crying. What a shame. I love it! Its great! A throw back in your face for a change! Now they are talking about the Eagles. hahaha! Before long the Eagles will be losing to injuries! To Many better teams than the crashing Birds! All I have to say is I'm happy that you fans have your tissues out! Keep Crying!— MRD
- Its so funny reading how all these Philly fans are crying. What a shame. I love it! Its great! A throw back in your face for a change! Now they are talking about the Eagles. hahaha! Before long the Eagles will be losing to injuries! To Many better teams than the crashing Birds! All I have to say is I'm happy that you fans have your tissues out! Keep Crying!— MRD
- What was the score?— PhilliesForever_NOT
- Charlie Manuel should be fired. That was the worst display of post season managing ever in the history of baseball.— HighPlainsDrifter
Gload was safe at first. How can you not take advantage of the Giants left side in the late innings of Sandoval-Uribe. Make the Panda run and field some bunts. How about Valdez PH and laying one down. I know Cholly doesn't like to bunt for hits but Sandoval is playing 3B. Nobody in a Phils uni is hitting a homer.— jp8899- Pitch Blanton. Skip Doc. Pitch Oswalt? Are you kidding me? Also, why is Cody Ross being pitched to?— Steve Jeltz
- Fumo "Furtardo" and MRD (WTF???) Don't make another post till you graduate High School.— phillyphan801
Comment removed.- MRD how sad is your life to have to come here to enjoy "how all these Philly fans are crying" ?— Realistic One
- Comment removed.
Reach Sam at donnels@phillynews.com.
