Utley’s Play His Biggest Yet
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, October 14, 2008 12:42 PM | Comments: 20
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Defense is magnified in the postseason, as every play — and every inch — means so much more. We saw that full scale in game two, when Shane Victorino robbed Casey Blake of an extra-base hit with an incredible, leaping catch. We also saw it last night, when Andre Ethier made a gorgeous diving play on a So Taguchi sinker.
But no play was as important — maybe all season — than Chase Utley’s one-man stumble.
The Chase, as I’ll call it from hereon, occurred with the sacks jacked and one out in the sixth. Chad Durbin had already checked himself out of the game, and Scott Eyre and Ryan Madson were walking the tightrope, put in precarious situations. Russell Martin lined one square to Utley, who snared the ball. With runners going and retreating, Utley hustled to beat Rafael Furcal back to the bag. The Chase was on, and by a second, Utley beat Furcal. By a second, we could have a different ballgame.
“I guess I was just in the right place at the right time. Everything happened so fast. I just tried to get there before the runner did.”
Utley has made some incredible plays, especially in the postseason, but none has been as important.
Posts: 0 Griffin
Chase Utley is the man because of his ability to improve on the job. He came into the league not being able to hit lefties and his defense was questionable. He now hits lefties almost as well as he hits righties and has become the best fielding 2nd basemen in baseball. You the man, Chase.
Posted: 12:45 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Philadelphia Phillies News
The double play by Chase could be considered a turning point in the game. Chase contributed big time last night and lets hope he continues to hit the ball well and play solid defense. Ryan Madson deserves some credit as well for shutting down the LA hitters. The Phillies never say die.
Posted: 01:00 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Sam
Don’t look now, but utley had 3 hits last night…now if only we could get Howard on track.
Posted: 01:23 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Kyle
Quick question: does anyone know where I can listen to the homeruns (as called by Dan Schulman on ESPN radio?) And 2: anyone have the fox replay of Stairs’ homer? I didn’t get to listen to the call, and I love Schulman.
Posted: 01:28 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Just a funny nugget bit of information. With the game last night, I taped Chuck and Heroes. One of the villian characters in Chuck last night is named Von Hayes.
Posted: 01:44 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 bull
Chuck is a really good show…
Posted: 01:48 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
that play to me, personifies this team in this postseason. never giving up, gritty, even with that grim outlook this team didn’t just roll over and concede the loss, we are getting contributions from all over the place right now and it’s the defining factor of our postseason hopes. this team has me more excited about a sport than any other time of my life, i cannot wait to see how this will play out but i’d say our chances of getting to the dance are pretty good. my facebook predicted that, “Phils beat dodgers in 5?”. i hope all of our prophecies can stay true! tim callin the shots, me callin the series, and the guy on 950 ESPN this morning sayin that the phils win the WS in 5 (which would be great cuz i sit section 306 for game 5 of the world series…)
lets go phightin!!!
Posted: 01:50 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
unrelated… but I was thinking this earlier..
When they 1st announced Jenkins as the pinch-hitter last night, I was pissed that it wasn’t Stairs… BUT.. I didn’t take into account that they were figuring that Torre counters that move with a new pitcher.. and so Jenkins was wasted instead of Stairs. Taguchi gets robbed on a GREAT catch by Ethier… and shows us why he is up instead of Golson (golson wouldn’t even get bat on the ball in that situation)..
And because Stairs was still available, we are up 3-1 right now..
So I think its amazing that the managers have to think THAT far ahead and plan on countering moves that neither team has made yet… and shows that it was smart to not pinch-hit Dobbs the other not, just as it was smart to save Stairs last night… pinch hitters are more important as the game gets into the later innings, so in the 6th, 7th innings.. Dobbs and Stairs should not be used..
I love baseball!!!!
Posted: 01:51 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Cole Hamels
GAYEST QUOTE EVER.
Matt Stairs is the man but what he had to say after is pretty gay.
Stairs said afterward that he wanted a hit to feel as if he had made a contribution to this team, so he could get back to the dugout and be the cause of a celebration.
“Getting your [butt] hammered by guys, there’s no better feeling,” Stairs said.
Posted: 01:51 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
agreed cole(bert) but shouldn’t you be resting up for tomorrows game instead of developing carpel tunnel here on the blogs?
Posted: 01:57 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Eb
Great comment from Foxsports.com
This being Hollywood, the evening had been built around a single star. And as everyone with even a passing interest in the Dodgers now knows, that star’s name is Manny Ramirez.
His at-bats have become events in Chavez Ravine. Monday night was no exception, either, as each of his plate appearances delivered the crowd from its natural lethargy. (This isn’t meant as a cheap shot at Dodgers fans, not at all. But just understand that they give you the impression that Xanax has been approved for over-the-counter use.)
BEAT LA
Posted: 02:21 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Brandon
Does anyone know when they are going to announce the lottery winners for world series tickets?
Posted: 02:27 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
I saw this posted at 700Level. This is sickening.
And once again, Philly fans are supposed to be the obnoxious ones?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HGQDlZd3Xg
http://nojoshin.blogspot.com/2008/10/dodging-abuse.html
Posted: 02:29 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Isaiah
I was wondering about the posting of the WS tickets as well.
What I would like to see in Game 5 is for the Phillies to finally go a first inning without giving up runs. Shut those kids from LA down early, get a lead, and dont give them a chance to breathe.
Posted: 02:47 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Cole Hamels
WS REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINS: Noon ET, Tuesday, 09/02/2008
WS REGISTRATION PERIOD ENDS: Noon ET, Thursday, 10/09/2008
WS RANDOM DRAWING: on or about Friday, 10/10/2008
WS WINNERS NOTIFIED VIA E-MAIL BY: Friday, 10/17/2008
WS SALE FOR WINNERS: Winners will be notified of sale dates via e-mail
Posted: 04:25 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie
You had the lead taken from you, you are now down two runs, the crowd is louder than ever, you have your tail tucked between your legs, your face in your glove, 1 out bases loaded the flood gates are about to open, no one on this team, and I don’t think in the league besides Chase is so locked in and focused under those circumstances not only to snare that liner, but to have the presence of my mind to snare it and continue in the direction of the bag all in one motion quick enough to beat Furcal back. That is why he is our true MVP, I love what Vic is doing, but he is the heart, soul and guts of this team. Well written Tim. Great Piece!!
Posted: 04:58 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Mark
Way to go Chase and way to go Phillies. One more game to the world series. My vote is for the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” for NLCS MVP! And, if not Victorino, then Lidge, or depending on how Hamels goes on Wednesday.
Posted: 05:24 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 » Victorino, Stairs Homer Phillies to Threshold of World Series | Blogging-Baseball.com
[...] Tim Malcolm of Phillies Nation describes a great defensive play by 2nd baseman Chase Utley in the sixth inning which saved the game, and perhaps the Phillies post-season; No play was as important — maybe all season — than Chase Utley’s one-man stumble. [...]
Posted: 06:07 PM on October 14, 2008
Posts: 0 Sarah Wayne
Yo that play by Chase was simply stunning. There were so many contenders for “play of the game,” but I think that had to be the winner.
In other news, GO PHILS!
Posted: 10:29 AM on October 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Debi Green
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Posted: 09:29 PM on November 12, 2008