Bell's an idiot for even thinking about going to 3rd on that hit, but he shouldn't even have been on 1st base to begin with. Manuel pinch-runs for Burrell every chance he gets late in games (even down by 3 runs when Burrell was the only guy on base), but w/ the season on the line and down by 1 run in the 8th, he leaves Bell on 1st base? Why wasn't Chavez on 1st? Get some speed out there. Terrible non-move by Manuel.
And why use Tucker as the PH? I realize Tucker should have been walked if not for 2 terrible calls by the home plate ump, but outside of 1 clutch hit, Tucker hasn't done squat since joining the team. I'd rather have Jason Michaels up there.
I disagree. This team can't even make it in as a wild card, and have choked down the stretch the last several years. That doesn't scream "a patch or 2 away" from making a good run. A patch or 2 might get you in the playoffs, but it won't make this team a championship contender. A patch or 2 gets very good teams over the hump. The Phillies have holes/questions in too many spots (C, 3B, bullpen, starting rotation) to be looking for patches.
This team is so, so frustrating.