America's birthday finds me checking the mailbag way too early [lots of Guinness last night, not brilliant!] and naturally, the only email there is from an avid reader (who prefers to remain anonymous) of the Phlogosphere that resides multiple time-zones away. He did some leg-work and discovered something I've suspected for some time now -- the Phillies situation almost always deteriorates after a coaching visit to the mound.
Here's what he found for the first two games of the series in Houston:
Monday's game:
5th inning - 1 on, 1 out. Visit. Next batter - HBP.
6th inning - 1 on, 1 out. Visit. Next batter - Single (after baserunner picked off trying to steal 3B).
7th inning - 2 on, 1 out. Visit. Next batter - Pop up.
7th inning - 3 on, 2 out. Visit. Next batter - Walk (RBI)
Tuesday's game:
2nd inning - 3 on, 1 out. Visit. Next batter - Walk (RBI)
8th inning - none on, 1 out. Visit. Next batter - Walk.
9th inning - 3 on, 1 out. Visit. Next batter - Fielder's choice (RBI)
10th inning - 2 on, 2 out. Visit. Next batter - Walk.
So, when our fearless coaches went out there to 'settle things down', we were treated to 1 good out, 1 run-scoring out, and 6 times that the batter got on base by a hit, 4 walks (none intentional) and a hit batter. Thank you, messrs Manuel and Dubee. And please stay in the dugout from now on! Either you don't know what you're talking about, the pitchers are ignoring you, or they are so bad that talking to them doesn't matter anyway.
My guess is it is a combination of the three.
To be fair, this is a small sample size and my guess is that no pitchers on any team do well after a coaching visit, but at the same time, it's safe to say that Rich Dubee will never be confused with Leo Mazzone.
