Screen shot 2011-06-22 at 9.43.28 AM
Whoa. 

The Phillies scored nine runs in the top of the 8th inning… without getting an extra base hit. They had five singles, four walks, and two batters hit by pitches. The Cardinals used five pitchers who threw a combined 64 pitches. The inning lasted 43 minutes, or, as reader Matt Reilly pointed out on Twitter, about the time it would take to speed from the Walt Whitman Bridge to Atlantic City. The AC Special, if you will. Edited video of the inning here.

I submit that we call this type of game the "Drunk LaRussa": Any game in which an opposing manager makes a bonehead pitching decision (in this case, bringing in a righty to face Ryan Howard) that backfires on him. Bonus points if he gets a DUI later in the evening.

For all the figurative handjobs the national media gives LaRussa, this guy does some really dumb things. He somehow thinks he's smarter than the game. He routinely bats the pitcher 8th, last night put a righty in to face Ryan Howard- yet he always escapes criticism. 

Charlie Manuel: [CSN Philly]

“I’ve seen a lot,” he said. “I’ve seen some good ones, some bad ones, and some rainouts. I’ve seen tie games and the lights go out. I’ve seen a whole lot of crap and I’ll probably see a whole lot more. That was a little different though.”

 

Tony LaRussa: [Phillies.com]

"I don't know what happened in the eighth inning," manager Tony La Russa said. "It's just one of those days."

 

One of those days when your manager puts in a right-handed pitcher to face the most powerful left-handed hitter in the game. Dope.

X-rays on Placido Polanco were negative.

Vance Worley will start on Friday.

Paul Hagen uses his big, thick glasses to put the Phillies hitting issues into perspective.

Another reminder for our $10 all you can eat and drink tailgate on Saturday.

Finally, the Marine Colonel who joked about killing Roy Halladay. Video of Halladay's post-game presser – sans tank wound – right here.