Yesterday morning I was reading through previous days news and noticed the Phillies lost in the 9th inning on a three-run HR allowed by Antonio Alfonseca. Later as I read through the boxscores - rotonews first, boxscores second (Sorry, Christina Kahrl), I saw the pitching one for the Phillies.
Brett Myers pitched the 8th. What? Charlie Manuel didn't leave him in a for a two-inning appearance in a tie game? Exactly why was he moved to the bullpen if not to provide valuable innings?
In my generosity, I thought maybe Myers spot in the order came-up in the top of the 9th, and he was removed for a pinch-hitter. Nope. The Phils went down one (Utley), two (Howard. Ouch two of my players.), three (Burrell).
I'm at a loss. I've been holding out judgment about the Myers move, but, if he isn't there to pitch important innings late in the game, then what is going on? In a conspiratorial train of reasoning, I recalled Myers had lost 25 lbs in the off-season. Is there something in that piece of information that would explain removing him from the rotation and then not pitching him in a high pressure innings?