Ruiz Solid Down The Stretch
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, September 21, 2008 09:56 AM | Comments: 9
Posts
In the eighth inning of Saturday night’s game against the Marlins, Ryan Madson had pitched into definite trouble. With two men in scoring position and no outs, the Phillies seemed assured to lose their 3-2 lead and have yet another eighth-inning meltdown. Dan Uggla bounced one hard to Greg Dobbs, who slung it home to get Jorge Cantu out at home. But Carlos Ruiz, steady as a rock, took the throw, blocked the plate and tagged out Cantu for the first out. With that threat erased, Madson recorded the final two outs to bring a huge sigh of relief.
I think back to last year, when Rod Barajas was in the same position against the Marlins. He took a throw and botched it, seemingly afraid of a Florida player steamrolling him. This time around, Ruiz stayed strong and recorded the out — though the replays show it’s possible Cantu was safe, Ruiz’s steady stance may have prevented CB Bucknor from seeing the foot hit the plate. No matter the call, Ruiz has been solid.
Look at Joe Blanton and Brett Myers for further proof. Something has to be said for Ruiz’s role in keeping Blanton from being knocked around while carefully pitching the Fish through five hell-teetering innings. Meanwhile, Chris Coste served as Myers’ catcher, and the point of sticking with a fastball-curveball combination during the horrendous first inning became the core of conversation after Friday night.
A lot has been said about Ruiz’s ability to call a game, and that aspect of his game is showing more weight right now, as each start becomes more important as the last. While his offense could be much better, Ruiz is proving himself a capable and necessary starter for these final games.
Posts: 0 GPR
Non-Troll Mets fan:
Everytime I turn on the Philly game recently its Ruiz getting hits. Somebody should remind him he sucks!
And great, CB Bucknor cost the Marlins a tie yesterda.
Posted: 10:03 AM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Paul
Well said.
Even thought Ruiz isn’t a huge threat with the bat, he really handles the staff well, and is a solid defender.
Posted: 12:40 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
yeah hes been good. his hitting hasnt been as bad. the bottom line is coste cant hack it if he has to play more.
Posted: 01:00 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
cb buckner has a very low strike zone, he was hard on blanton and squeezed him i felt
Posted: 01:01 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
Hmm-m.. no mention by Tim that the play at home in the 8th inning with Ruiz applying the tag on Cantu was debatable by the media. Continous replays appears to show the tag was late and prevented Marlins from tying the game. However, I’m not complaining. :-)
Posted: 01:30 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 C.J. Henry
I like Ruiz. Hopefully next year he’ll back up Marson :)
Posted: 01:48 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 mike m
With the mets and brewers winning today. I expect the phillies to lose.With the mets schedule and brewers they will run the table. the phillies will lose three this week. Mets win division. thank you mets
Posted: 02:21 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 Tim Malcolm
“Hmm-m.. no mention by Tim that the play at home in the 8th inning with Ruiz applying the tag on Cantu was debatable by the media. Continous replays appears to show the tag was late and prevented Marlins from tying the game. However, I’m not complaining”
Umm, Bruce:
“This time around, Ruiz stayed strong and recorded the out — though the replays show it’s possible Cantu was safe, Ruiz’s steady stance may have prevented CB Bucknor from seeing the foot hit the plate. No matter the call, Ruiz has been solid.”
Posted: 02:30 PM on September 21, 2008
Posts: 0 mike m
Can someone tell me a good diner in phila.When I am driving through to the mets playoff game in milk. I would like to get breakfast.
Posted: 02:32 PM on September 21, 2008