Charlie Manuel uses the word “tight” to describe failures of Philadelphia Phillies - MLB Update
Defeats are piling up and the Philadelphia Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel runs short of excuses. After their latest melt-down against the New York Mets, Manuel comes up with an explanation. Volatility in attitude on the ballpark is one of the reasons,
he thinks, team is losing even those games that it will win otherwise.
Almost all the games Phillies played in last week went through similar pattern.
In particular their last two games are a thumping reminder of this malaise. Games against the Mets will easily be their wins, if it was not for the lethargic attitude shown by the fielders and relievers during later part of the innings.
First few innings of every game will see them dominating and have enough lead that can be protected through the ninth. The moment relievers step on the mound, whole edifice built until then will be shattered.
In a display of disappointment on his face, Manuel says, he does not know what to discuss with the players in meeting, when all of them know their roles very well and thus cannot be taught the same thing again and again.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to them,” Manuel said. “But at this point I don’t really know what to say to them. That’s kind of how I feel. I’m going to talk to them sooner or later but right now I don’t know what I want to say.”
Manuel duly admitted this and called for improvements at maintaining dominance after it has been achieved.
Offence provided excellent support and so did the starter and just when it will look that the Phillies have won almost, the manager elaborated, opponent will snatch victory from them.
“Basically we’re kind of spinning our wheels,” Manuel said. “The teams that we’re playing – at times they try to give us a game then we act like we don’t want to take it and we make mistakes and give it right back to them when we have a lead.”
Putting halts to runs when the lead has been registered is the most important task the Phillies’ relievers have to ensure. This can help the Phillies escape vicious circle, they are messed up by at the moment.
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