Hopeless Phillies fall 3-2 to Pirates

The Phillies watched another great opportunity crumble into dust, losing to the Pirates 3-2 tonight.

Every story from yesterday's 3-1 loss used the word "lowly" to describe the Pirates. After tonight, there's no reason the same word can't be used for the 9-14 Phillies.

The Phils had a chance to tie or go ahead in the ninth, but with one out and the bases loaded, pinch-hitter Alex Gonzalez tried to be a hero and hit into a game-ending double play. This came after two separate relief pitchers walked the bases loaded. The pitch to Gonzalez was not a strike and he was ahead 3-1 in the count.

Pat Maholm, who entered the game with a 7.40 ERA, dazzled the Phillies for seven innings, giving up just one run. For the second night, Aaron Rowand offered the only hope with a homer in the eighth. Pat Burrell had an RBI single in the fourth.

Both Gonzalez and Abraham Nunez had banner moments off the bench. With one out and a runner on first in the seventh, Charlie Manuel pulled Cory Lidle after 77 effective pitches. Nunez bounced into an inning-ending double play.

Beerleaguer take
The Phillies need a hero of their own to make sure the kinds of things that happened tonight never happen again.

The problem: The man in position to do it is unable, and probably unqualified. There wasn’t a single part of Charlie Manuel tonight that wasn't preposterous. From the randomness of the lineup, to his on-the-fly decisions, to his posture hanging on the dugout rail. It was bothersome how casual he appeared to be, watching the season slide further down the toilet.

As for this offense, this isn't a funk. This is a pattern, one that repeats itself every season and has nothing to do with talent. A win tomorrow would tie their futile record of 10-14 from last year.

The Phillies are hoping the pattern follows last year's model and they play themselves back into contention. There's one small problem with that thinking. This team isn't as good as the 2005 version, particularly in bullpen. In addition, everyone's fear has come true. The Mets are for real, and everyone knows the Wild Card threats are in the central.

If that's the case, the Phillies have just played themselves out of contention, and it isn't even May.

Tomorrow, do yourself a favor. Skip the game, enjoy the weather and make sure the last day of April ends on a winning note.

Comments

[Nat]

Wow! You're even more depressed about this team than I am. But not much more. There's now a very real possibility that the Phillies will wake up on the morning of May 1 in second place -- eight games behind the Mets.

I thought the Phillies would be able to fatten up on an early schedule heavily loaded with the dregs of the National League. Turns out the Phillies are the part of those dregs.

To the first person who will say something to the effect of "Well, it's a long season..." let me agree in advance. It's looking like a very long season.

[Jon]

One could only hope that the Phils start the new month of May with a new manager of their own...

[theragtopguy]

I hear ya Jason. Not a bad idea. These guys are driving us fans up a wall.

[pat]

"Skip the game, enjoy the weather and make sure the last day of April ends on a winning note"

just because you said that, its now going to rain ALL day sunday.

[Trask]

I wasn't able to enjoy last night's Philadelphia offering. But I was in Reading to watch the R-Phils blow a 4-1 lead in the 8th.

Hot prospect Tim Moss did go 2-3 with his first HR of the season to raise his average to a solid .116.

Hot prospect Jason Jaramillo went 0-3 with a sac fly and again looked a bit confused catching junker Alan Davis, the man pushed out of the Scranton rotation by Hamels.

Michael Bourn had a look on his face like he was drowning. I remember last year he always had a smile on his grill. This year, not so much. I don't want to make too much of it, but he just looks like he isn't having any fun.

I'm not either.

[Carson Book]

Minor League Thoughts: The Phillies minor league pitching is looking solid...suprisingly solid. However, there is next to no offense on all 4 active minor league teams. Carlos Ruiz looks good at Scranton behind the plate, but not much else. Here's to hoping the pitching down of the farm is for real and we get to see some of it produce for the big league club this season!

I'm a beerleaguer regular now, and I love reading everyone's comments. I find comfort in knowing I'm not the only one who can't stand David Bell or Charlie Manuel. Manuel really needs to go. Weitzel worded it perfectly to begin this blog...it looks hopeless and Manuel's whole demeanor is disgusting!!!!!!! Who cares if Manuel really isn't the problem, fire him anyway and give the fans something to hope for!

[don schell]

why not post pat gillicks email on here and encourage people to tell him to get off his butt and fire Manuel. this guy is not a major league manager. he serves at the pleasure of ownership.the players love him because he is such a nice guy to them.

[Adam]

It's not even Manuel's "demeanor" I care about. It's the fact he doesn't know how to manage a ballclub. Period. If he was making good moves and handling the lineup, the bench, and the bullpen well I'd start looking at "demeanor" but until then his simple lack of competence is enough to make him deserve the boot.