Werth Delivers In 12th For 6-5 Win
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sat, July 12, 2008 08:37 AM | Comments: 21
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Jayson Werth ended an entertaining, roller coaster of a game with an RBI single in the 12th inning. The Phils secured a lead into the late innings, but couldn’t hold on, then fell behind, then came back, then got the W much later. If you followed, you probably got dizzy.
The Phils used almost every available player, cleaning out their bench and going deep into the bullpen. Rudy Seanez collected the win after a 1-2-3 12th. So Taguchi scored the game-winning run after a leadoff single. It’s about time Taguchi got involved in a win.
The important blow of the game was Shane Victorino’s triple into the right field corner, scoring Ryan Howard and Eric Bruntlett. Before the triple, Victorino attempted a bunt that landed foul. Probably not the right move. Still, Vic received an inside fastball from pitcher Tony Pena, which was exactly what the Flyin’ Hawaiian needed to do his business. The triple erased a two-run D-Backs lead, which they stole by hitting Kyle Kendrick, then RJ Swindle and Chad Durbin. They couldn’t solve Miguel Montero and Alex Ramirez, who keyed rallies to give the Backs three runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Maybe the most important play came when Ramirez was thrown out at third, trying to stretch his double (which Vic almost caught amazingly) into a triple. It ended the inning and kept the Phils within striking distance.
Then there was the play that gave the Phils a 3-1 lead: A Carlos Ruiz dummy steal that allowed Victorino to scamper home (Vic was everywhere in this game). Beauty in its execution: Arizona catcher Montero was excited to get Ruiz out at second and never looked at Vic; with Kendrick at the plate and two outs they didn’t rely on a pitcher to drive in a run; Ruiz retreated at just the right time to prolong the play and get Vic home. Those are the best plays of all.
Kendrick had his usual, Kendrickian start, going 6.1 while giving up four earned runs and scattering nine hits. And after the eighth, the Phils bullpen did a fine job, featuring Brad Lidge, Clay Condrey (in an increased role) and JC Romero.
Ryan Howard started the scoring with his league-leading 28th home run — and league-leading 84th RBI. That he (or Pat Burrell) isn’t on the All-Star team is kind of ridiculous, but I’ve said that before and we know it already. Other things we know by now: The Mets and Marlins both win, keeping in pace with the Phils.
Associated Press photo
Posts: 0 NJ
This is why Vic is so key to the Phils and shouldn’t be platooned, he may not have Rowands bat control but he uses his legs to impact the game and is a vocal guy in the clubhouse who takes responsibility for this team. The Werth/Jenkin’s platoon has worked out better than we could have expected and now’s time to try and get Jenkin’s into the game, like Feliz he will contribute once things come together giving us 4 very capable outfielders on a given night.
Did anyone else notice Dobbs being walked as a pinch-hitter to get the J-Roll… Think that’s what you call an impact bat off the bench if the other team don’t want to pitch to him.
Condrey’s giving a real dilemma here, the Phils will acquire another starter so its one of two scenario’s: with Myers in the rotation either Eaton goes to the pen or will be DFA if the team want to stay with Condrey or Myers goes to the pen and Condrey’s going down for sure with Eaton still in the rotation (this assuming Gordon returns soon)…
ps. Whoever said trying to take a base with a tubby slow footed catcher was a bad idea, Charlie put the D-backs to sleep on that play… Highlight of the day!
Posted: 09:22 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Derek
First of all that platoon hasn’t “worked out better than we could have expected.” We were expecting Jenkins to contribute, he really hasn’t, it’s only Werth that’s playing well. And second of all, they walked dobbs to get to the pitcher’s spot, not J-Roll and it also set up a double play with only one out and a man at third. It was a very smart move.
Posted: 09:34 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Derek
Sorry not the pitcher’s spot, it was coste at that time
Posted: 09:35 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 chris m
good call derek… i know howard ha all these rbis and stuff but this is the first stretch this season where hes truly carried thi team… me being one of his biggest criticizers is really giving him a standing ovation… he doesnt need this all star break but also good for taguchi to do atlest ne thing good this year. could we cut him now?
Posted: 09:40 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Jeff
Is there a video online of that dummy steal? I was listening on the radio and it’s not on the MLB highlights.
Posted: 09:46 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
I like the Phils playing small ball like that. They had alot of bunts, plus the double steal, thats the type of thing that falls to Cholly. They can do it, but they’re not going to unless he tells them too.
Great article about the phils just bringing up Carrasco instead of trading for an arm. i agree with the scout in that, the NL East isnt that strong, so why throw away propsects for an almost nill upgrade in Burnett. Oswalt left the game last night with a hip injury. That leaves Burnett, Wolf, etc. I think bringing up Carrasco and dropping Eaton to AAA or pen would be a nice adjustment.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20080712_Phillies_Notes__Scout__Phillies_should_bring_up_Carrasco.html
Posted: 09:47 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
My bad on the Dobbs walk, take that one back.
The reason I say about the platoon is although Jenkin’s hasn’t produced Werth very much has and Jenkin’s has chipped in intermitently. Statisticly the platoon has done enough that if it was an everday player there has been some very decent production after fears Rowands bat couldn’t be replaced. Jenkins deserves to take some flack for struggling to produce but isn’t getting much of a chance to play himself back into the line-up on a regular basis, which is credit to Werth for earning the everyday job. That outfield really hasn’t been as bad as is sometimes made out here and a Werth/Vic platoon that is sometimes suggested will just result in likely lesser play from both of them (particularly vic), plus you loose any possible production from Jenkins AND won’t get the full production from a newly acquired starting outfielder who will have his playing time reduced trying to get the other guys into the line-up, it’ll be really messy.
Posted: 09:56 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Derek
Yeah chris, trade taguchi now….his trade value is at an all time high after last night, we might be able to get some pine tar sticks for him, or maybe some eye black
Posted: 10:03 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Haha nice one Derek, maybe we should call on that the indenpedant league GM who traded one of his guys for bats.
Posted: 10:07 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Clare
I’m sad I missed this game (I’m in Chicago), it sounds like it was a really good game. Nevertheless, I’m very happy we won! I’ll be at Wrigley today, wearing a Phils shirt. =)
Posted: 10:13 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 dan
anyone else think vic deserves the ashburn?
Posted: 10:16 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Derek
Absolutely…i mean yeah, Johnny wacko got the game winning hit, but the flyin hawaiin was everywhere last night
Posted: 10:20 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Derek
Sorry i think the nickname the phillies segments are getting to me
Posted: 10:22 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Yeah, I was shocked Werth had the Ashburn Award. Vic had a run scored on that great double steal, a double, a triple, and 2 RBI’s. He was on base a lot too.
Posted: 10:32 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Derek
Didn’t he throw someone out too?
Posted: 11:10 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
He may have, I forget.
Posted: 11:32 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 551 Brian Michael
Yea, Shane definitely deserved the Ashburn Award, but when you get the GW hit in extras at home, it’s almost automatic you’re getting it that night. A game winner is the difference between having to give out an Ashburn and a Jeltzie…
Posted: 11:48 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
touche
Posted: 11:51 AM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg V.
I’m glad to see we won last night because I am almost willing to gurantee that Adam Eaton loses against the Big Unit today!
Posted: 02:54 PM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Matty in Maine
I wouldn’t be so down on Eaton, Johnson has had one good start in the last month. I predict at least 8 runs for the Phils today.
Posted: 03:03 PM on July 12, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Yeah, Eaton has been consistent this year. He blew up one game and everyone jumped all over his shit. If he goes 4 out of every 5 starts being a Q then that’s a good 5th starter. Randy Johnson has been consistently bad all season. I’m banking on Eaton for a win.
Posted: 03:07 PM on July 12, 2008