Phillies Nation

57 Responses to “Utley to Blame – Won’t Hear That Often”

1. Chris.I Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 4:54 pm

   Tough loss, but like you said…It was Utley’s error that cost us the game. Can’t be mad at the Captain. It’s all good, were back to square one, tied 1-1. Utley will bounce back next game, and go 3-4 with a HR.

2. Joe Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

   stop pointing fingers. win as a team, lose as a team.

3. Brooks Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

   Series tied? Really – we took Home Field advantage away from LA – we have them just where we want them.
   One of the things that has impressed me thoroughly this year is the Phillies resiliency – after a tough loss to shake it off and come back with a victory. There have been tougher losses than this one during the course of this year and there were some positives to take out of this game. Pedro was incredible! Howard will not let it go and the Phils will win this series.
   No worries people!

4. Greg V. Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 5:25 pm

   In a 1-0 game, yes the double play had to be turned. It was not. It lead to defeat. There is no doubt in my mind that Chase Utley is still the best 2nd baseman in the game right now. It was a painful loss and it sucks but why dwell on it? He’s among the best at what he does and sometimes even the best can’t get it done. He’s a hard worker and that’s what helps make this team great. He, the team, the coaches, and the fans all have to live with what happend yesterday. Learn from it, move on, we got a game to play tomorrow.

5. Georgie Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 5:28 pm

   Joe, Pat is just stating the facts, and the fact is, Utley was responsible for that loss. There are going to be low-scoring games in the playoffs, they’re not going to score 8 runs every game. When you have a 1 run lead, a championship team shouldn’t lose it by poor defensive play. Pitching and bullpen problems I can understand, offensive slumps are not unknown to this team so I can also fathom that, but the one thing this team excels at and is superior to others in is their defense, and for the same guy to have the same kind of misplay two games in a row is mind-boggling to me.

   I was not aware of the second base yips, ala Knoblock and Sax, until today, that is very strange and very scary. I don’t know what’s going on with Utley, but I sure as hell hope he snaps out of it by tomorrow.

6. Ryan Hoffman Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

   This is so short sighted. Was it the straw the broke the camels back? For the most part, yes. However, it is merely the last straw and not even close to the weight of the entire haystack.
   If you can’t score more than one run against Vicente Padilla then you should always lose. Yes the Vicente Padilla, the one with the 2009 and career splits of:

   2009:
   Vs RHB: .246/.301/.363, 2.35 K/BB
   Vs LHB: .303/.384/.453, 1.54 K/BB

   Career:
   Vs RHB: .241/.300/.368, 3.03 K/BB
   Vs LHB: .297/.380/.479, 1.30 K/BB

   Howard hit his long ball, but past that they looked like a little league team out there. This is an offensive loss, and really its not even close.

7. Ryan Hoffman Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

   Oh and I’ll take the guy who has been the best defensive 2nd baseman in the NL EVERY year for 5 years, and tops in ALL OF MLB for 3!
   Shit happens, deal with it.

8. Steve Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 5:39 pm

   Utley’s error cost us the lead for sure. Happ’s inability to throw a strike while ahead in the count cost us the game. Walking in a run is inexcusable.

9. Georgie Says:
   October 17th, 2009 at 5:46 pm

   If it were JUST those 2 bad throws, yeah, I wouldn’t be so worried, but practically every throw he made to 1st in these last 2 games was high, so that concerns me. What’s the problem, because you know that is WAY out of character for Chase????

   Man, people get ALL bent out of shape if you even hint about Chase having any flaws, he is definitely the golden boy in this town.

10. PhanAttic Will Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    I can tell you one thing right now, no one, and I mean NO ONE, is taking this loss harder than Mr. Utley. He’s going to get about 20 minutes of sleep tonight as he stares at the ceiling, killing himself over what he did. Believe me, he will come back and make up for his mistake. This is Chase Utley. This is the man.

11. BS Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    Yeah, I’m worried about the same thing that Georgie mentioned. Even the routine throws haven’t been on the mark this series. Hopefully Chase’ll fix whatever mechanical flaw he’s going through, I just hope it doesn’t turn into one of those rare Chuck Knoblauch type mental issues.

12. Pat Gallen Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 6:03 pm

    If Utley makes that play, its likely we dont talk about a Happ walk because of less pressure in that situation.

    Short sighted, maybe. But I hope youll note this isnt a thesis. I was merely stating in a few words that Utley had to be blamed for this one. I also noted the offense and the job they did, which really wasnt much of a job at all.

13. Keith E Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    NEWS FLASH!!!!!!
    CHASE UTLEY IS HUMAN!!!!
    Relax Nation, the Phils are the better team.
    GO PHILS!!!

14. Philly in NYC Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 6:11 pm

    Utley overthrew, Happ missed the plate, but Charlie lost his mind when he pulled Pedro and began a three ring , uh make that five ring, circus with the bullpen. This will only hurt if we lose the series, which I doubt we will. None the less, Charlie has to bear the burden of some real poor managing.

15. joedad Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    Chase Utley on one hip is twice the 2nd baseman of anyone left in the playoffs. Now let’s see him hit one up the middle just over Kuroda’s head to pay back for his pitch over Shane’s head last year.

16. Dice Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    Look to me like he tanked that play on purpose

17. joedad Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Brilliant analysis, Dice. I’m convinced.

18. bflaff Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    There’s plenty of people who didn’t step up in the 8th inning, although Chase had the most obvious and serious failure. But it’s important to remember that the Dodgers needed a series of mistakes in the 8th just to squeak out a must win game at home against the Phillies 5th starter. The Phils can’t afford to give games away, but they should still feel very confident against this Dodgers team.

19. George Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    Martinez hadn’t pitched in close to forever, and had no real complaints about being taken out. There was a man on in a one run game, so most any manager would pinch hit to try for the insurance run. This was definitely a situation where you can’t blame the manager. You can, however blame Francisco for hitting into a double play.

    As far as using so many pitchers in the eighth, I didn’t see that any of them had great abilities. Lefty-righty, whatever. After the botched double play, not one reliever was effective even against the right matchups. Look at the box score and you’ll see what I mean. Do you leave in the righty who just let the righty get a hit so because he might get the lefty? No, you bring in a lefty. If the lefty sucks, too, that’s not the manager’s mistake. Happ let in the run, but he’s not the one who loaded the bases to set it up. Utley, Eyre and Madson did that.

    Stop blaming Manuel for everything. Blame the crappy bullpen. If even one of those pitchers had done his job, do you think Manuel would have needed five pitchers? He would have needed one or maybe two at the most.

20. Jeff of Nova Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    I think you do need to put some of the blame on Charlie! Pedro was in a zone. 87 pitches through 7, I mean it looked like no one in the Dodgers organization had a clue what to do at the plate with Pedro on the mound. I mean in the top of 8th you bring in Dobbs/Francisco to hit into a double play to end inning, Pedro could have bunt Ruiz over and then you have Jroll up with a man in scoring position. If he got out at least you had Howard up in the 9th.

    Using 5 pitchers was ridiculous, not keeping Madson in there for Either was stupid, you bring in Happ who is not used to or a clutch guy in that situation. And we lost the game on a bases loaded walk, errors or not.

    Charlie made some bad decisions

21. Brian of CO Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Maybe Pedro hadnt pitched in a while, but he was still still under 90 pitches, and didnt really show signs of slowing down honestly. Maybe a little blame on Charlie for taking him out, but ultimately, the blame is on Chase Utley. Either way, Chase Utley cost us game 2, no go back to Philly, tied 1-1 with 3 in Philly. LA No longer has Home Field Advantage. If the Phillies screw this up now, it all on them. The Home Field is not with Philly. 3 in Philly, 2 in LS (If needed). Yes even the best 2nd basemen in the league screws up and can lose games. Put them blame where it should be, move on, and win the games AT HOME like you should, and WHO CARES.

22. Chase Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    No, you can’t blame Charlie. If you go back and look at the game tape, you could SEE he was getting tired. He hung a few changeups that he is lucky didn’t end up in the seats.

    Either way Phillies win in 5

23. Chuck Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    Chase is to blame….wonder if Princess Cole gave him a dirty look from the dugout…..

    Phils still win this thing….6 games….and it won’t be easy. Lots of nailbiting moments to come this week. The Dodgers are a good team…and formidable opponents…..they wouldn’t be here if they weren’t.

24. Brian of CO Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    I agree with Chuck, like it or not, the Dodgers are a damn good baseball team. These two teams are, and have been talked about as being among the best in the Majors the entire season for a reason. Any fan, whether a Phillies Phan or a Dodgers fan that says either team sucks is just a plain idiot. If the Phillies had the bullpen they had last year, the Phillies would be a CLEAR favorite, but the problem is, the Dodgers have that bullpen this year. Either way, our Offense as proven in Game 1, can and will put points on the board against the starters AND that Bullpen. Go Phillies!

25. GWFightinsFan Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    I believe that the winner of tomorrow’s game will win the series. Its’ important that they give Kuroda a rude welcome in his first game back. And Lee needs to keep on pitching the way he has been. Go Phillies!!

26. Harry Kalas Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 11:53 pm

    I know it’s hard to admitt, but V. Padilla was great in Game 2. He threw hard and his pitches had great,late movement. I don’t know if beating the Phillies was step 12 of his rehab program or what, but he was amazing. I am not looking forward to the Phillies facing him again.

    -And don’t dismiss Kuroda. He has owned the Phillies. I think the cold/rainy weather hurt his control coming off of the stiff neck injury.

27. mikeB Says:
    October 17th, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    Happ did not get the calls on a couple of pitches he made leading to that walk. Had there been a different umpire, the ending story might have been different and then again, it might not have been. Not many low strikes are being called in the series so far. Have to give credit to Ethier who hung tough in that at bat.

28. Morris Buttermaker Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 12:52 am

    Good thing Ryan Howard or Jimmy Rollins did not make the error that costs the team a game in the NLCS. If one of those two blew a double in a crucial spot in 3 straight playoff games, the fans would be begging for them to be traded for Travis Lee.

29. marty Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 12:58 am

    who is to say that Thome doesnt single right after and score pierre anyway?

    dont forget… the inning wasnt over even if he did turn it

    BUT GET OVER IT…MOVE ON…

    GAME IS OVER

    SERIES TIED

    BEST OF 5

    HOMEFIELD

30. Jeff Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 1:08 am

    Yes be mad at the captain. I am a huge Utley fan. My favorite ball player but come on. Make that throw. he had all night to make and did not. It cost us the game and possible the series. Utley has to be held in this situation. We bash Howard enough. Utley has to be bashed at times. Horrible play.

31. Harry Kalas Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 1:44 am

    It won’t cost us the series Jeff. But you’re right. I think we still end this thing at the Bank. Hopefully the weather doesn’t make the next two games all weird.

32. jacob Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 1:53 am

    Utley might hurt. Again, at the end of the season and through playoff play. Wasn’t noticed last year, but I’m sad to say it shows now. He’s not planting his pivot foot when he throws. Definitely is favoring it. Is it affecting his batting? I don’t know. Shouldn’t much in the box, but the effect on his psyche might play a part in his lousy September and subpar postseason. I watched the MLBN crew slo-mo his turns for double plays in this series, and he is definitely off.

33. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 8:30 am

    I agree with Jacob and that Utley seems like his hip is bothering him. It is rare for him to make such a horrible defensive play with the game outcome on the line and it being the postseason. He is too clutch of a player to make that bad of a throw. And yes, some of his throws have been high too and those throws are routine. Hopefully, he just needs to stretch it out a bit more and shakes it off.

    I also think Cole is hurt too. When he whines like he is something is usually wrong with him. When he is on and feeling good he doesn’t complain as much or make jestures like he did the other day.

    The whole team has played a ton of baseball the last three years so it is inevitable that they begin showing some wear and tear. This isn’t an excuse but something you have to deal with as a team and manager. I think this is why Bruntlett was put back on the roster.

34. Morris Buttermaker Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 10:22 am

    I always hear on here about how clutch Chase Utley is. Does anybody have any proof? His big clutch play of the week was fouling a ball off his foot and running to first. And the two seperate umpires blew calls on the play. And the next night, he took a big walk. While they were both plays that helped the team, I would hardly define them as clutch. There are a lot of players I can remember coming with big plays at big times in games. Ryan Howard has more than a few. Werth has a few, Ibanez. Carlos Ruiz has some. But for Utley, I am really blanking on them. He is a hard working guy who makes some great plays, and has a ton of talent. But I am not seeing the clutch aspect of him.

    And as we have seen in the past week, big plays in the field at key moments in the game are not his speciality. He has blown 3 this week, and on the Saturday afternoon game in August in Atlanta, he had that play in the 9th where took the wrong angle at the ball and Lidge ended up getting the blown save.

35. Brooks Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 10:52 am

    Lots of good blogging today – we definitely need to see some more out of Chase offensively as well.
    And who in the hell remembers Vincente Padilla throwing 96 mph? Not me… I knew he hit 92 maybe 94. He was pretty damn good.
    Lee tonight, he has been great thusfar in the post season – does he have 2, perhaps 3 more games in him?? Hope so

36. 2G's from Marlton Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 11:49 am

    The phils scored one run! That’s why they lost the game, give me a break…

37. Mike D. Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 11:53 am

    I thought of Chuck Knoblauch, too, especially about how he developed a neurosis about throwing. It didn’t affect his hitting, but his defense…

    In the back of my mind, I worry that the same thing is happening to Chase, but most likely he just realizes that this repeat could actually happen, and is losing his cool a bit for it. Even Chase’s cool has its limits. Fortunately, a loss always gives out a good bit of humble pie to everyone involved.

    The good news – Pedro dazzled, we can trust him in Game 6, and a split in LA is a win in itself. And we won’t underestimate Vincente Padilla again. Go Phils!

38. ryan Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Charlie gets some blame too. You don’t take Pedro out there. Not the way he was dominating and not the way our bullpen stinks.

39. No Debbie Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    uhhh am i the only one who remembers him chucking a ball into the dugout during game 1??? yeah sure he got taken out, but come on chase eat the ball, dont throw it in the dug out. two game changing plays, two days.

40. John Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Okay, in defense of Utley:

    firstly, the error in game 1 was completely meaningless. There was no way he’d have gotten Ethier out even with a good throw, and it made no difference whether Ethier was on first or second when Ramirez hit a two run shot. And, of course, the Phillies won the game.

    As to what happened in Game 2, sure, Utley bears a big share of the blame. But even if they turn the double play, there’s still Pierre on third with Jim Thome coming up to bat. Thome hit a single off Eyre. With the double play turned, it’s likely that Manuel would have left Park in, but it’s completely possible that Thome would have hit a single anyway and tied up the game. At that point they probably could have gotten out of the inning, but it’s not at all clear they would have won.

    As others have said, the real problem on Friday was the offense, which did absolutely nothing (except Howard). If you can only score one run, you oughtn’t to expect to win.

41. Fishtown Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 2:31 pm

    I’m a loser who shouldn’t be on this site, maybe I should jump on the yankees bandwagon, in fact I will if they win it all

42. Eli Manning Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    Our overrated team is getting exposed big time

43. Fishtown Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

    Everyone knows why I have my “deep seated hatred” of the sparrows. The day I got beat up at the linc…ha ha ha

44. Oxylimbaugh Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    Wah wah wah the nfl won’t let me buy a team

45. The Olympic Committee Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    Damn them americans sure hate their country!

46. Manny Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    No new posts today???

47. Philsgirl Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    This is a sad topic to have to comment on as a whole, and I understand we would all like to (and do) finger-point. Yep, there’s something up with Chase’s throws to first. Yep, he made the second consecutive error in as many games in a playoff series, and even earlier in the day a routine throw to Howard was almost over his head. But that was an *error*, and things happen given that error based on what’s going on situationally in the game. It’s not a calculated move, which, if it leads to badness, is more inexcusable in my book. Our offense has basically been shut down by Padilla, Pedro’s throwing a shut-out game, still looks good, and has a pitch count in the high 80’s. Our bullpen is, let’s face it, crappy. A “well-though-out” *decision* to take Martinez out after he’s shown an ability to throw a 130-count game that means 1,000 times less to our season, that creates a collective sigh from the Dodgers dugout that can be heard clear out to Arizona, that forces a wave of successive, misguided, and highly out-of-character micromanagement that eventually leads to the loss; geez, just the sudden 180 in managerial style might make me flubb a couple routine plays in the field out of sheer confusion. Chase made a bad and ultimately costly error. Charlie lost us the game.

48. Jeff Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 4:20 pm

    Your wrong John. Things can change if that double play was turned. Maybe walk Thome, defense in a different postion. Life changes. My best friend got into his car and started on his way to work. He got a block from his house and noticed his cell was not with him. He turned back and grabbed it. He was halfway to work when a drunk driver ran a red light and killed him. If he did not forget his cell or go back for it he would still be here. everything changes. I know thats a rough point to make but its true. Things change by the actions in our lives.

49. Harry Kalas Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    We all need to just let the Utley errors and Game 2 as a whole go. Jeter missed one last nite and the Angels’ SS made two huge mistakes. Ditto w/Tori Hunter in Game 1.. If Lee is hitting his spots we should at min win 2 of the next 3.

    The Eagles losing to the Raiders?? &^$%%&$$#*&!

50. j reed Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    Remember the WS pump fake gun down of Barlett at home….that took some serious stituational awareness and skill in a much higer pressure stituation than these play off games. Remember his hip surgery. Remember his puritical work ethic (which I call overtraining) . Point is, I put the hip before going Knoblauch Block. 1] Mike Lowell (same injury, same surgery), struggled all season with expected, normal post-op hip pain which is why the Red Sox platooned him with Youklis at third. 2] to see not only the two dp throws but other more routine throws that exhibited similar characteristics of errant throws points to adaptive shortening of surrounding muscle to guard instability of the hip joint. The hip is a crucial junction in the transfer of reaction forces between the ground and foot thru the lower body to the upper body in the kinetic chain of movement used to throw a ball or a punch. It may be more pronouced in throwing than batting because there is little if any element of chance in throwing than in batting Batting involves alot more variables than throwing, that is in batting the outcome is dependedant on other factors like the pitched ball whereas throwing primarily depends on the athlete alone unless there are mitigating circumstances.
    If the hip is ruled out, then I’d say call a sports shrink cause it’s a case of the “yips”. Either way it’s cause for concern.

51. j reed Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    Can andy reid spell even “running back” I hardly watch football and can figure that out…Tom Cable needs some anger management therapy

52. j reed Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    that’s “even spell” Doh!

53. j reed Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    oh no its the “wild cat”. Meow bitches

54. Handsome Jack Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    My sizeable gut tells me the Phils will put up some significant offensive numbers tonight against LA. I hope my gut is correct and not just reacting to a huge cheesesteak hoagie and extra large order of crisp fries.

55. Handsome Jack Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    I believe Utley is physically hurting and doing everything in his power to help the team. I believe he simply ran out of gas in September and is running on fumes. Even if he is hurt, the Phils have NO suitable replacement. A hurt Utley is better than a Bruntlett in top shape. Or a Cairo. Let’s not throw the guy under the bus. Remember: God wears a Phillies hat and is rooting for the Phils, though he will not use his vast power to swing things our way. He’s not like that.

56. mycruzincooler.com Says:
    October 18th, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    Jack …. You may be right on Utley. He just looks flat.

57. Chase Utley Says:
    October 19th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    You are all idiots. If the double play is turned, it would have been man on third with 2 outs. Thome, the next batter, then hit a single. It would have been tied regardless. The botched bunt was what cost the game, considering the Dodgers were TRYING to give the phillies an out.

    The real blame lies on the OFFENSE, who managed ONE GODDAM RUN ON A SOLO HR. SHUT UP AND STOP BLAMING ME!

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