If it comes to it, the Phillies will go back to Miami to play a few more innings of baseball. At least thats what the team announced on Monday after filing an official protest to umpire Joe Wests call in the sixth inning of Sundays series finale at Sun Life Stadium.
I think were just doing what we think is right, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. Well deal with the consequences after that.
Manager Charlie Manuel filed the initial protest during Sundays 14-inning loss to the Marlins when West decided to go to the video replay even though the umpires on the field ruled Hunter Pences long drive to the right-field fence was a double, despite the fact that fans had interfered with the ball.
The play was reviewed on instant replay and Pence was called out. Ryan Howard, who had gone to third on the would-be double, was sent back to first base. Instead of having men on second and third with no outs, the Phils had a man on first with one out.
Manuel was ejected from the game by West, who later claimed that the Phils manager asked for the play to be reviewed. In fact, Manuel did not speak to West until after the umpires returned from reviewing the play.
It bothers me because I already had been thrown out of the game and it was after the decision that they went to the review, Manuel said. I wasnt even arguing about that. I was arguing about the reason they went to it.
You can see on the film that I dont talk to him until after the decision.
MLB
Manuel says his interpretation of the rule for video replay is that it cannot be used for a defensive play. Initially, Marlins manager Jack McKeon went onto the field to argue for fan interference instead of a home run. Had McKeon asked for the play to be called a homer, then it could be reviewed, Manuel believed.
I dont think Jack McKeon went out there and said, I think thats a home run, would you review it. Manuel said That entered my mind when I went out there, but Jack was my first manager and I know hes smarter than that.
A day after the controversial ruling, Manuel said he watched the play unfold numerous times on replays and does not understand how Pence could be ruled out. After all, the Marlins rightfielder, Bryan Petersen, had to make a leaping catch while colliding against the outfield fence to catch the ball. It was no can of corn by any means.
For someone to assume that he was going to catch that ballI would question that, Manuel said, noting that the umpires got the play correct before going to the replay.
I thought the least that was going to come out of it was a double, Manuel said.
In the meantime, Major League Baseball has not upheld a protest since 1986 when the Pirates disagreed with the umpires declaring a game over after two rain delays of 22 and 17 minutes. In the Phillies case, Amaro is not sure how Major League Baseball will rule, but in the meantime he filed his first protest as GM.
Frankly, we think that the utilization of the video was not properly used in this case, the GM said.
Blanton activated
Because of how Sundays game unfolded after the protest of the controversial call, the Phillies felt the need to shore up their pitching staff and have activated Joe Blanton from the 60-day disabled list.
Out since May 23 with inflammation in his right elbow, Blanton will only be used on Monday night in an emergency situation. In fact, Amaro said the Phillies would not have activated Blanton had Sundays game not gone 14 innings.
We talked to Joe before we got on the plane and discussed it further on the plane. We got clarity that this wont be a medical risk for him and I called Joe after we landed and asked him if he was physically able to perform and said he felt fine and he was ready to go, Amaro said. He doesnt know how sharp hell be, because hes only had one rehab appearance.
In one rehab appearance with Single A Lakewood on Sept. 2, Blanton pitched one scoreless inning and did not allow a base runner. He is 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA in six starts for the Phillies this season. In the meantime, Blanton will work as a reliever for the rest of the season.
Asked how Blanton would adapt to a bullpen role, Manuel wasnt so sure.
If you notice, hes a guy who takes a while to get going. If youre going to get him, it usually comes in the beginning of the game, Manuel said. I think hed have to get used to being a reliever. Any time someone comes out of the bullpen and gets ahead in the count, you have a chance to get three outs.
Meanwhile, the Phillies bullpen may be a bit thin on Monday night because lefty Antonio Bastardo still needs a couple days of rest after going three straight days last weekend. In a career-high 57 games this season, the lefty has posted a 1.69 ERA and held opponents to a .110 batting average.
We need to get Bastardo some rest. This is September and the most hes ever pitched and the most hes ever gotten up in a season and he definitely needs a blow.
In addition to Blanton, the Phillies also got pitcher Kyle Kendrick back. The righty was on paternity leave over the weekend for the birth of his first child.
Rollins getting closer
Though hes eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday, shortstop Jimmy Rollins likely will need some more time to recover from a strained groin muscle.
Before Mondays game, Rollins ran sprints and took infield practice, but had not been examined by the team doctor.
Hes doing well. I think hes getting closer.I think it will be a day-to-day thing, Amaro said.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.