Mistakes are the portals of discovery

The Phillies' Monday night opponents, the Florida Marlins, had been victorious in only nine of their previous thirty-three games. The Phillies, despite another poor start from Jamie Moyer (six innings, four runs), had every opportunity to win this one. Ryan Howard hit a pair of titanic home runs, but it wasn't enough to overcome three crucial mistakes.

The first crucial mistake wasn't by a Phillies' player, it was by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson. After three innings, the Phillies had a 2-0 lead, and Jamie Moyer was pitching well, as he typically does against the Marlins. However, Moyer began the fourth inning by walking the first two Marlins. With a 2-2 count on former Phillie Wes Helms, Moyer threw a called third strike. Except to Marvelous Marvin Hudson it was a called third ball. It is possible Starvin' Marvin was trying to make up for a blown strike call earlier in the at bat. But, as Sarge Matthews indicated, the umpire needs to put mistakes behind him, and make the correct calls going forward. Hudson failed to do this, and it cost the Phillies. With his time at the plate extended, Helms connected with a three-run homer, giving the Marlins a 3-2 lead.

The Phillies continued to trail 3-2, as the Marlins batted in the sixth inning. Moyer got himself into trouble, allowing a pair of singles. But with two outs, and eighth place hitter Ronny Paulino (another former Phillie) at the plate, Moyer had a chance to escape. With pitcher Chris Volstad on deck, and unlikely to be pinch-hit for so early in the contest, Moyer had no need to give Paulino anything to hit. Moyer fell behind 3-0 to Paulino, and it appeared likely that he would throw ball four out of the zone, and take his chances with Volstad. The wily veteran threw the pitch, and Paulino stroked the hittable offering into center, for a run-scoring single.

Typically, when the Phillies permit Chan Ho Park to participate in a ballgame, it turns out to be a crucial mistake. Park entered a 4-3 game in the seventh, and five batters later, it was 5-3. A two out single by Wes Helms increased Florida's advantage, but it was the only run Park surrendered in three innings. Park showed increased velocity in his relief outing, and his performance allowed the rest of the bullpen the night off. Hopefully, Park's results will be similar in future relief outings.

The third crucial mistake was made by Shane Victorino. In the ninth inning, and the Phils trailing 5-3, Victorino started the inning with a walk. The tying run was at the plate, in the form of pinch-hitting slugger Matt Stairs. The Phillies were, potentially, one swing away from a tied ballgame. Victorino, trying to eliminate the possibility of a double play, attempted to steal second base. Often, in this situation, the opposition will surrender second base, in defensive indifference. However, Victorino got a poor jump, and Paulino threw him out at second base. Perhaps, Paulino should not have thrown to second, and risked a throwing error. But the crucial mistake was Victorino's, as he should have waited for a better pitch to run on, and he could have returned to first base immediately, when he realized his jump was poor. Matt Stairs and Carlos Ruiz were retired, and the Phillies had lost, 5-3.

The Phils face Florida again Tuesday, in the second of three games. The Phillies' Joe Blanton faces the Marlins' Andrew Miller, as two mediocre hurlers attempt to escape mediocrity, at least for a day. There should be plenty of offense at CBP on Tuesday night. Hopefully, the Phillies will learn from the mistakes they made in the first game of the series.



Postgame texts

(8) Guess stealing wasn't the best idea there.
(28) No questions asked.

(47) Did you DVR Jon and Kate?
(27) Of course. We're watching with Chollie in ten.