Proctor never got to face Ruiz, and Kimbrel was never used in the game. Ibanez crushed a 2-0 pitch into the seats to end it.
Well done, Fredi! At least Manuel isn't alone. For the 1000th time, saving your closer on the road for a save situation that may never come is a terrible idea. Not surprisingly, Chris Wheeler agrees with the "don't use your closer in a tie game on the road" strategy.
I thought Manuel had a good game tonight. Halladay's pitch count -- and the rain delay --made it implausible to keep him in past the 7th inning. Once Manuel burned through Stutes and Bastardo in the 8th and 9th innings (Bastardo pitched in a tie game and the world didn't end!), he had to choose between Mathieson, Carpenter, Herndon, Baez, and Juan Perez to pitch the 10th inning. With two lefties due up for Atlanta, Perez struck out the side to earn the victory.
When you consider that Manuel batted Mayberry 2nd rather than Michael Martinez or Wilson Valdez, there's really nothing to complain about in terms of the manager today.
Manuel 1, Gonzalez 0.
Tomorrow the Phils go for the series victory at 4:10 pm when Cliff Lee faces RHP Tommy Hanson.
*see: La Russa, Tony; Torre, Joe
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