A frustrating night of questionable decisions and miscues in the field and on the base paths leaves the Philadelphia Phillies on the brink of elimination after a 6-5 defeat to the San Francisco Giants in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. In a game filled with subplots and and back and forth blows by both sides, Juan Uribe ended the night with a sacrifice fly to LF off of relief pitcher Roy Oswalt to give the Giants a comanding 3-1 lead.
Heading into Game 4 many questioned the decision by Charlie Manuel and staff to start Joe Blanton instead of ace Roy Halladay on 3 days rest. As the night unfolded Manuel made several more decisions that would lead to even more questions after the game. Both Blanton and Giants starter Madison Bumgarner only last 4 and 2/3 innings as the game turned into a battle of bullpens. Inexcusable leadoff walks and poor execution led to Philadelphia’s demise in the latter innings.
Blanton was serviceable in his 4 and 2/3 innings of work. After throwing just 2 wild pitches during the entire 2010 season he struggled with command during the first inning throwing 2 and allowed Freddie Sanchez to advance from 1st to 3rd. The Giants capitalized with another 2 out hit, this time by rookie catcher Buster Posey to take an early 1-0 lead. Posey had a big night at the plate and behind the dish with 4 hits, 2 RBIs, and a key block of home plate in the 5th inning to prevent a Phillies run.
The Phillies offense continued to slumber during the beginning of the game and faced a 2-0 deficit heading into the top of the 5th. With questionable called 3rd strikes and a missed balk call, the Phillies frustration continued to mount. However after compiling just 5 hits over the previous 13 innings, Philadelphia broke out in the 5th scoring 4 runs on 5 hits. The inning began with back to back singles by Ben Francisco and Carlos Ruiz. It was the first time the Phillies had hit back to back hits since Game 2 of the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds (let that sink in for a moment). After moving into scoring position on a successful sacrifice bunt by Joe Blanton, Shane Victorino singled to CF scoring Francisco. However, 3rd base coach Sam Perlozzo sent Carlos Ruiz to the plate and he was thrown out on a great block by Posey. Shane Victorino inexcusably failed to move up to 2nd base on the throw home and Philadelphia had ran themselves out of a critical run.
After a Chase Utley single, Placido Polanco lined a 2 out double off reliever Santiago Casilla to give the Phillies the lead. A wild pitch tacked on another run and the Phils took a 4-2 advantage into the bottom of the 5th.
Needing a shutdown inning, Joe Blanton began the bottom frame by walking Andres Torres. As is often the case, leadoff walks come back to bite a pitcher. A 2 out double by Aubrey Huff cut the Phillies lead to 1 and Charlie Manuel turned to his bullpen after just 63 pitches from his starter. While Jose Contreras was able to retire Buster Posey to end the 5th, Philadelphia would need 4 innings from its relievers.
Chad Durbin came in to pitch the 6th inning and struggled coming off of a long layoff. A leadoff walk to Pat Burrell and a double to LF by Cody Ross immediately put two runners in scoring position for the Giants. With 1st base open and a pitch around order to Pablo Sandoval, Durbin threw a high fastball that the Kung Fu Panda was able to tomahawk into left center field to regain the lead for San Francisco.
Trailing by 1 run in the top of the 8th, Ryan Howard stepped in against lefty Javier Lopez. Even though he was 0/5 lifetime with 4 strikeouts against Lopez, Howard was able to work the count full and drive a leadoff double into left center field. Jayson Werth doubled down the LF line off of Sergio Romo to tie the game 5-5 and give Philadelphia a golden opportunity to take the lead with a runner in scoring position and nobody out.
Jimmy Rollins stepped to the plate and rather than bunt Werth to 3rd was trusted to swing away. Particularly from the left side, Rollins is normally very strong at pulling a grounder to the right. However he popped up to 3rd base for the first out of the inning. Ben Francisco and Carlos Ruiz followed it up with 2 strikeouts on 6 straight sliders from Romo and the Phillies squandered a huge opportunity to take the lead.
With the bullpen thinning out, the Phillies turned to Game 2 starter Roy Oswalt in relief. After a single to Aubrey Huff, Buster Posey battled in a great at-bat and hit the ball the opposite way to put runners on the corners. One batter later the Giants ended it and took a commanding series lead.
The Giants continue to take advantage of their opportunities as the Phillies mistakes and miscues continue to haunt them. Game 4 of the NLCS has been the turning point the last two years for Philadelphia. Will the 2010 version be their their ultimate demise? Their backs are up against the wall and they will look to rebound Thursday night in Game 5.
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