With the Phillies leading 5-4 and the pitcher due to lead off the eighth inning here today, Charlie Manuel faced this decision: Should he send RHP Geoff Geary (left) to the plate or call upon a pinch-hitter? Ordinarily, it wouldn't be much of a choice. As a reliever, Geary rarely hits. And with only a two-run lead, Greg Dobbs, Jayson Werth or speedy leadoff-type Michael Bourn would be headed for the bat rack. Problem was, Manuel didn't have many bullpen options.Antonio Alfonseca? Unavailable after pitching in three of the last four games.
Ryan Madson? Unreliable after giving up extra-inning homers in the season's first two games and two more runs Saturday at Florida.
Clay Condrey? Unproven.
Francisco Rosario? Unknown. Manuel has never seen the newly acquired right-hander pitch.
Jon Lieber? Inexperienced. He hadn't pitched in relief since 1998.
So, Manuel stuck with Geary. Well, by now, you know what happened. Geary allowed five runs, with the aid of Jimmy Rollins' costly error (more on that later), and was lifted for Lieber, who gave up two more. A 5-4 lead turned into an 11-5 loss, and the Phillies dropped to 1-6.
But there was one other reliever Manuel considered. Closer Tom Gordon hadn't pitched since blowing a save against the Braves last Wednesday, five days ago. Yet, even when Geary got into trouble in the eighth, Manuel refused to use the 39-year-old Gordon for more than one inning. And, as much as the Phillies' lack of a dependable setup man, the continuous babying of Gordon must be a concern. Faced with a similar situation, the Mets would've turned to Billy Wagner for a five-out save. The Yankees would've done the same with Mariano Rivera. If Gordon is unable to get more than three outs every five days, the Phillies are in even more trouble than I thought.
6 comments:
They are in trouble Scott. For Gillick to give Gordon a 3 year 18 million dollar deal (plus giving our 1st round pick to the yankees) for Gordon last year was not smart. Wait till next year when he is a year older.
Not going to argue whether Geary was the right man (by default), but Manuel has to double switch him into the game! You can not have your setup man start the 8th inning hitting only leading by 1 run! It's totally inexcusable. What are the other bench coaches doing to help Charlie out? How could he not double switch Geary into the game?
There is just no accountibility in this organization. Ed Wade is GM for 90 years, Manuel way over his head. Gillick making bad decisions left and right. A total disgrace.
Thanks for your great work on this blog Scott. You do an excellent job.
Charlie HAS to make the double switch. All he had to do was bring in Dobbs for Nunez. And then maybe you get an insurance run. Or two.
I'll heed the previous thread where we're told to lay off Chuck, esp. for Victorino's stealing of 3b. But this loss has to be on Charlie.
And if there is a health concern with Gordon, it's time to own up to it.
The reason you don't double switch is because you want your best defenders on the field; and that's Nunez not Dobbs or Helms. With regards to the bullpen, who do you want him to go to? Charlie is going to be the scapegoat here, if he get's canned; and when we turn it on late in the season, like we always do, people are going to act like it was Charlie's fault. I'm not the president of the Charlie Manuel fan club but I ask you guys, "What would you like him to do with this crap bullpen that dope Gillick has given him?"
Im not asking for his resignation, dont get me wrong. I kinda/sorta/maybe like him.
But he can't have Geary take an at-bat there.
There's a line of thinking that says Dobbs should start, let alon get that at-bat.
Im in total agreement with your bullpen argument Ed, there's really no right or wrong as to whom to put in. Anyone or the "ye olde bucket'o balls" would suffice at this point. Condrey did fan five of six the other night, so how about him? Or Bisenius? Someone of whom the Mets have yet to see or face, and I'm at least satisfied they're trying.
Any word on Hermannson?
Great comments, everyone. Keep 'em coming!
Ed's right. You can't double-switch Geary into the game in the seventh inning because Nunez is a MUCH better defensive player than Helms or Dobbs. I suppose he could've double-switched Bourn for Rowand. That wouldn't have been much of a defensive downgrade. In fact, if you ask me, Bourn is a better outfielder than Rowand.
But the real problem here isn't with Charlie. It's with Gillick. As I'm preparing to write for tomorrow's paper (spoiler alert!), Gillick underestimated the cost of relief help. To get Mike Gonzalez, the Braves were willing to deal 32-homer man Adam LaRoche. Gillick thought he could find relief help more cheaply and wound up with Antonio Alfonseca and Francisco Rosario. You want cheap help? You got it.
No word yet on Hermanson, Paul. But from some scouts I've talked to, he looked terrible late in spring training. I don't know how much help he'd be, but he can't be much worse than what they have.
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