We interrupt the Charlie Manuel farewell tour for this breaking news bulletin: Has anyone noticed that the Phillies are playing better?
Don't get me wrong. I loved Charlie as much as anyone. But this team was dead men walking for much of this summer under Charlie's watch. Basically, too many of these guys looked like they were going through the motions. When you make basic base-running mistakes - again and again - that tells me a team has checked out.
Apparently they've checked back in with the change in managers. Last night the Phils looked pretty engaged in staging their second straight come-from-behind walkoff victory over the Rockies.
The night after Michael Young did the honors, Domonic Brown took the spotlight last night, with a game-winning single. After trailing 4-1, the Phils scored two runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth. They've now won four of their last five, in the process boosting Ryne Sandberg's record over .500 at 4-3.
Sandberg also seems to have gotten Jimmy Rollins' attention, something Manuel was unable to do. Rollins doubled with two outs in the ninth to kickstart the game-winning rally. With the Rockies not seeming to pay much attention, Rollins helped himself to third. He scored on a slow roller to third to tie the game.
Look, I still don't think this team is very good. But it was obvious they needed an attitude adjustment. The departure of the beloved Manuel might have done it.
It's just a shame it had to come to that to get their attention.
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