Make no mistake about it: the box score will say Ryan Howard provided the margin of victory last night with his three run homer, Jamie Moyer settled down after a rough opening frame to pitch six plus strong innings and the bullpen did a tremendous job in stopping a fine offensive club, BUT the main man who provided the spark was Jimmy Rollins, who played as if his "We're the team to beat" statement were running across the bottom of every television screen and scoreboard in America.
Jimmy scored three runs and had two hits, but his fist-pumping energy was what underscored the Phillies victory. Jimmy has never hogged the limelight, but he knew he and his mates were on national television playing at home before a huge adoring crowd in a tight game against a division rival. He rose to all occasions...as he almost always does.
* * * * * * *
The night before, Adam Eaton failed miserably to rise to his occasion...again!
When the Phillies signed Adam Eaton in the off-season they figured he would be a difference maker in their quest for a post-season berth. They never imagined that difference would be measured in losses but that is precisely what is transpiring with alarming frequency. At this rate he could cost them a shot at the playoffs. None of this should come as much of a surprise; Eaton is a career underachiever. Still, the Phillies gave him big money to sign for a guaranteed three years. At this stage Eaton can't guarantee much more than a poor effort very time out, none of which the Phillies can afford. They cannot continue to send him out there every fifth day, especially when one considers he could make nine more starts before the regular season ends. It's time to send him to the bullpen and give the ball to J.D. Durbin.
* * * * * * *
As long as we are talking demotions, it's deja vu all over again in the third base coaching box. Steve Smith has been horrible most of this season, reviving still-fresh memories of his equally inept predecessor, Bill Dancy. Smith keeps sending runners home and they keep getting nailed. Last night he sent two slow runners home against Jeff Francoeur, one of the best arms in baseball, and both were out by wide margins. A few weeks ago he sent speedster Michael Bourn home and he, too, was out by a country mile. The irony is the Phillies have the fleetest team they've had in memory as the stolen base totals attest. It's a good thing Smith isn't the first base coach, I guess. Both outs at the plate last night came with the Phillies trailing by a run. Only some infield gaffes by the Braves and an apparent blown call at first base by the umpire set the stage for Howard's home run, bailing out the Phils in general and Smith in particular. In the immortal words of Dallas Green, he's "killing us".
* * * * * * * *
Rick Ankiel proved his dramatic debut Friday night wasn't a fluke by hitting not one but two home runs Saturday in leading the Cardinals to victory. Afterwards he asked fans not to hold him to "days like this". Yesterday, Ankiel went 1-4 with two strikeouts, leaving four runners on base.
No comments:
Post a Comment