Sunday, September 03, 2006

Sept. 4 -- IN-GAME: WHAT'S UP CHUCK?

OK, all you Charlie Manuel bashers, here's your chance to vent:

Leading 6-3 in the ninth, Ryan Madson gives up three straight singles to load the bases. Charlie brings in lefty Fabio Castro, who has pitched only in blowouts and would be in the minors if the Phils didn't have to stash him on their major-league roster to avoid having him be returned to the Chicago White Sox because of rules governing the Rule 5 draft. But that's OK, because Castro is facing lefty-hitting Adam LaRoche, and he hasn't allowed a hit to a lefty all season.

Anyway, Fabio gets LaRoche to ground to first base, knocking in one run, and then, inexplicably, Manuel sticks with him to face righty Matt Diaz.

Long story short, Diaz hits a three-run homer to put the Braves ahead 7-6.

Go ahead, vent away ...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

tough to comment on the efforts of Castro since i've been asking for him to show in the pressure spots.
maybe im eating a bit of crow. in any event, whomever he puts in there, Manuel is now on the hot seat.

Anonymous said...

My post. im new to this whole blog thing.

Anonymous said...

You can not PUT a guy in that situation this late in the year with so much riding on every pitch. I called it earlier in these blogs. Manuel is a horrible late inning decision maker. If not for the hitting that game was lost and you could thank Manuel for it.

He has gotta go. The Phils can get a better late game manager and still not mess with the new and refreshing chemistry of this team.

Anonymous said...

OK another stupid Manuel move. Yesterdays loss to the marlins. 5th inninng bases loaded left handed pitcher who just walked a guy to load the bases. NO OUTS !! Cant find the strike zone. Delucchi up next. What does Chuck do? Brings in a righty to face the guy who cant throw a strike. OK Conine can do the job but you have to know the Marlins will counter with a righty!!! You are using your pinch hittiers in the 5th inning you big dope !!! A one run game !!! What happens later in the game? Conine faces right handers that are getting outs but Delucchi is done !!

Good riddens Manuel. Post season or not !!