A few steps behind

The Astros out-small ball the Phillies to take command of the series and their destiny in a 2-1 win last night. The Phils fall to 1.5 games back in the Wild Card.

Isn’t it amazing how these games in September have changed? How attention to detail is the vital factor? How outmatched the Phillies have been trying to compete under the magnifying glass?

Pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett's two stolen bases in the ninth inning off Billy Wagner and Todd Pratt allowed Jason Lane to drive in the go-ahead run from third, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 win.

Basically, the game was decided when the Astros said so.

Meanwhile, our guys picked the wrong time to play poor fundamental baseball and have yet to dictate anything in their home park.

With no outs and the game tied 1-1 in the eighth, Jimmy Rollins stumbled around first on what was sure to be a double, possibly a triple. Rollins never crossed home, as the Phillies worked the bases full but couldn’t score him.

It’s one of many blunders in a growing list of on-the-field and on-the-fly mistakes the Phils have made when they can least afford it. The opposition has better pitching, and apparently, better hitting, so they must be creative in other ways. That means dropping down bunts, hitting the bag in stride, etc.

Ryan Howard is the team’s lone contributor these days, connecting on yet another opposite field shot in the fifth off Roy Oswalt. In the past week, Howard has tagged some of the best in baseball - Pedro Martinez, Braden Looper, Chad Cordero and now Oswalt. Meanwhile, the veteran core – Abreu, Burrell, Rollins, Bell - have yet to make a mark, and Chase Utley, the star of mid-season, is fading fast.

If a team can’t pitch and can’t hit, they must be creative the way the Astros were in the ninth. Details count. Details win games, win championships. Last night was a lesson in base running and how to defend against it, and the Phils are taking this class at the remedial level. 

Comments

[Tom Goodman]

Boy, oh, boy, do I feel your pain, Jason. You have summed it up neatly, as per usual.

Jimmy has had quite a month and it's only September 7th.

Despite my numerous complaints about pitching throughout the season, it has been hitting or the lack of it that has killed this team. Larry Andersen pointed out the Phillies had struck out 43 times in the four games prior to last night. They struck out 10 times last night giving them 53 in five games. That means they fail to put the ball in play in more than 1/3 of their at-bats in a given game. Pitiful.

[Tom Goodman]

Oh, and did I mention that Jimmy struck out to end the game?

[Ken]

why do we even bother..

abre(who?)...burrell utley...our 3,4,5 have done absolutely nothing for us..

its a shame because you have to credit the phils with patching together a better than average pitching staff. (w/o worrell,floyd, and wolf)

you look at the hitting and some of the topline stats..rbi, avg, runs, look good...

BUT!!! i would bet that a significant part of the hitting stats phils put up are in 10-4 blowouts and middle relievers

They simply lack a consistent attack, where the other team feels like the phils are coming at you all the time (remember the steroid kids of 93??). They arent that good..

its a shame , wild card is there for the taking this year.

[Mike Cunningham]

All that needs to be said...

Best hitter in the last month...

Mike Lieberthal, batting .355 in the last 30 days.

[Ruby Legs]

Although Manuel only left himself open to some serious second guessing after Monday's loss, last night he pretty much threw the game.

I don't care whether Rollins makes it to second or third. Manuel's decision to sacrifice with Lofton was the real nail in the coffin.

If Rollins can't steal a base in that situation, why even play him?

[Mike Cunningham]

Ruby, you are RIGHT on... Rollins steals second... perhaps Lofton swings away... or tries again for a bunt, and now it's Rollins on 3rd with one out... But Manuel has no bench skills... NONE. Zero. Nada.