The Real Deal Beats Mets in Chase's Return

(originally posted 8/28/07)
Monday night's 9-2 win over the Mets could not have gone much better for the Phillies. MVP 2B Chase Utley, the NL's leading hitter (.339 BA), returned to action with a 3 for 5 night (including his 18th home run). OF Jayson Werth went 5 for 5, and has now reached base in 10 consecutive plate appearances. LF Pat Burrell, still batting third, was 2 for 4 with his 21 st home run, and Tad Iguchi, displaced by the return of Utley, had a two-run pinch-hit blast. J. D. (The Real Deal) Durbin, the Phillies' #2 starting pitcher, was perfect through four innings, and collected his sixth victory (in nine decisions). Durbin left with a 6-2 lead, the Phils tacked on another three runs in the 7th, and the bullpen shut out the Mets the rest of the way.

The turning point of the game, however, occurred in the bottom of the 1st inning. Jimmy Rollins was called out as he lead off the inning with an infield hit. As he returned from running through the bag, he stood on first base, mentally calculating how the single had impacted his stat line. As he calculated his new OBA, having already determined his BA and SLG, umpire Joe West suddenly called him out on the play. It was disconcerting that Joe West and C.B. Bucknor were assigned to such an important series, and it didn't take long for their ineptitude to hurt the Phillies. But not for long. Phils Manager Charles Fuqua Manuel sprinted gracefully out of the dugout to patiently discuss the unfortunate call. Moments later, Manuel was invited to leave the premises. That, right there, is another (of many) example of why Manuel should be Manager of the Year. He knows his weakness (managing the game as it occurs), and did what was necessary to give his team their best shot at winning. If Manuel can get himself ejected in the first inning on a regular basis, the fine metropolis of Philadelphia could have their first Championship Team, since the 2007 Philadelphia Barrage. The Phils showed what they could do, without Manuel involved, in their dominant performance Monday night.

In game two of the series, Adam Eaton and his 6.36 ERA return from the (possibly fake) DL. If Eaton can pitch decently, the Phils offense could get him his 10th victory of the season. If he pitches as badly as he has in ten of his last eleven starts, he'll be removed from CBP in the same manner in which Mr. Met was removed from the scene on Monday night. Quickly, and with no regard for his well-being. Either way, with Chase Utley and Pat Burrell in the lineup, there's not much of a chance that the Phillies will lose.