Game 136 - Sunday Afternoon, September 4th in Miami
One Sentence Summary: A bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 14th gave the Marlins a 5-4 win in a game officially protested by the Phillies.
What It Means: The Phillies lost their last ever game (and series) at Sun Life Stadium and their record is now 88-48. I'm estimating that maybe 500 people will be able to say they were there.
What Went Wrong: For the second game in a row, reliever David Herndon was again the focal point of the game - and not in a good way. He loaded the bases in the 12th and 13th innings, but somehow managed to escape both times. He loaded the bases again in the 14th, but his luck ran out when he walked Mike Cameron to force in the winning run.
The Phillies officially protested the game in the sixth when the umpires chose to review a play in which there was a case of fan interference. Technically, that's not allowed - instant replay can only be used to determine whether or not a ball is a home run. Hunter Pence had doubled to right but he was called out after the umpires deemed a fan (in Phillies gear, no less) had caused Bryan Petersen to drop the ball. Manager Charlie Manuel argued and got ejected. The Phillies announced the protest shortly thereafter.
Even without the goofball fan or the umpires screwing up the play in question, the real culprit in the loss was Herndon's erratic pitching and the offense going completely quiet for several consecutive innings throughout the game.
Featured Card: I'm grumpy tonight. Here's a ridiculous card of Hunter Pence to lighten the mood.
I feel Iike fewer than 500 would admit to going to a ballgame there. At least two phillies fans will deny ever being there.
ReplyDeleteSlightly different atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park tonight.
ReplyDelete