Phils Get Win with Utley & Rollins HRs
Tom Gordon felt like he needed to make us sweat it out a little bit in the 9th, but he closed it down and the Phils evened the weekend series up with the 'Stros. Jimmy Rollins continued his power streak with his league leading 6th home run. Chase Utley also got things going a bit with 3 hits, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs. Pat Burrell continued to produce with 2 hits, a run, and a RBI. Manuel move of the night was pinch running for Burrell in the bottom of the sixth. Burrell's replacement, Michael Bourn, came up with the bases loaded in the 8th and struck out swinging.
I would like to propose that the word Manuel can now be used in adjective form such as above. The definition of a Manuel move is evident by any move the Phillies skipper makes.
Cole Hamels continues to impress and Francisco Rosario pitched well out of the pen, giving fans a flash of hope. Lord knows Flash would rather give us agita. Carlos Lee may have made a nice catch, and gotten the better of the Phils on Friday, but the Phils were victorious on Saturday.
Freddy Garcia's Phillies debut in tomorrow's rubber match looks like it might be postponed due to some water.
>>Great shot of Carlos Lee by Flickr User Cavalier92
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I was surprised when he took Burrell out so early. This was my thing--two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Howard on second, Burrell on first. The odds of someone scoring from first to home are pretty bad, even with someone with Bourn's speed. If it's gonna take two more hits to get that runner home anyway, why not keep Burrell in when there is a good chance he's gonna come up to bat again? Sure enough, a couple of innings later, here comes Bourn with the bases loaded and two outs and a chance to put the game away. He looks completely overmatched up here and I won't be surprised if he's sent down pretty soon.
Posted by: Matt | Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 09:06 PM
The Bourn Identity isn't quite ready to play up here. But I have a new nick for Nunez - Honest Abe. Yes, Honest Abe Nunez. Then, when he makes an excellent defensive play (as he did a couple of times today), we can say "You wuz robbed by Honest Abe!"
Okay, not a good pun.
I was at the game today. People were actually cheering The Bat. Weird, wild stuff.
Posted by: Dan | Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 11:22 PM
Dan no offense, but I've heard/read the "Honest Abe" nickname before...long before. I made up the "No-Hit" Nunez moniker, which fits him perfectly considering his career struggles at the plate.
In regards to the Burrell/Bourn late inning switches, I under stand it and still think it should be done, but not as early as the 6th/7th inning when Burrell still may have a key ab later in the game.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 04:47 AM
WHERE IS CHRIS COSTE!!!
Posted by: david schaeffer | Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 09:02 AM
I disagree that Bourn isn't ready. He isn't getting enough time to prove himself because apparently Jason Werth has naked pictures of Uncle Charlie.
Bourn can and will play at this level. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.
Posted by: Chris | Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 09:24 AM
No offense taken, GM-Carson. I hadn't heard it before, but I'd be surprised if someone hadn't said it already.
I'm glad this game worked out okay, all things considered. Oh boy, three wins.
Posted by: Dan | Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 09:34 AM
Yo Rick did u go? Get ready for WSH and FLA I'll be home for those games! V2 in the house
Posted by: Birdman | Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 11:07 AM
I am not a Manuel basher, in fact I am a supporter....but I thought Bourn went into the game far to early Saturday.
Posted by: Ben Keeler | Monday, April 16, 2007 at 12:12 AM