Like almost everyone, I wear many hats: teacher, sister, daughter, aunt, leader, counselor, disciplinarian, friend, writer and probably more that I can’t think of right now. One of my newest titles is coach.
This past spring, I finished my second season as a high school softball coach. And I have learned a lot.
Softball field that I coached at this past spring.
For one thing, the starting pitcher almost always finishes the game. Very, very rarely do relief pitchers enter the game. The game is pretty much in the hands of the starting pitcher. About the only time that a relief pitcher is used is if the game goes into extra innings.
With that in mind, my dad said to me a while back that he is curious about what would the Phillies record be if the game ended after the 5th inning and before the Phillies bullpen became involved. I took that idea and expanded it with my knowledge of softball.
The parameters that I am working with are:
1) The game ends in the 7th inning.
2) If the score is different, I will explain how that happens.
3) If the score is tied after 7, I will be using the Softball International Tiebreaker Ruler. (Mainly because I think it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.)
The International Tiebreaker Rule
Starting with the eighth inning, the offensive team begins the inning with the ninth hitter in the batting order placed on second base.
4) I will assume that the 8th inning plays out exactly as it did in real life. The only difference is that there will be a runner on second. I also assume that runner on second will be able to score on a single, unless it’s an infield single. In that case, he moves to third.
That’s it. Those are the entire requirements.
Pirates:
Game 1- Original: Score 1-0 Phillies. New: Same score.
Game 2- Original: Score 2-1 Pirates. New: Same score.
This game went into extra innings, as it was tied 1-1 after 7. In the top of the ninth, the Phillies scored. The runner that started on 2nd moved to third after Shane Victorino grounded out to first and came around to score on an error by Casey McGee.
The Pirates tied it up in the bottom of the 8th, as their runner on 2nd scored on an RBI double by Josh Harrison.
The Pirates went on to win in the 10th. The runner scored after advancing to third on a single and coming around on a sac fly by Casey McGee.
Game 3- Original: 5-4 Pirates New: 4-3 Phillies.
The Pirates scored 2 in the bottom of the 7, but the Phillies hung on to their lead to take the game and the series.
Overall Original: Phillies 1-2 Overall New: Phillies 2-1
Marlins:
Game 4- Original: 6-2 Marlins. New: 5-2 Marlins.
Game 5- Original: 7-1 Phillies. New: 6-1 Phillies.
Game 6: Original: 2-1 Phillies. New: Same score.
Overall Original: Phillies 3-3 Overall New: Phillies 4-2
Mets:
Game 7- Original: 5-2 Mets. New: 4-1 Mets
Game 8- Original: 5-0 Mets. New: 4-0 Mets
Game 9- Original: 8-2 Phillies. New: 3-2 Phillies
The Phillies walked this one off in the bottom of the 7th on a Laynce Nix double.
Overall Original: Phillies 4-5 Overall New: Phillies 5-4
Giants:
Game 10- Original: 5-2 Phillies. New: Same score.
Game 11- Original: 4-2 Giants. New: Same score.
Game 12: Original: 1-0 Giants. New: Same score.
The Giants won this game in the bottom of the 9th. The runner moved to third on a fielding error by Laynce Nix. He came around to score a single by Melky Cabrera.
Overall Original: Phillies 5-7 Overall New: Phillies 6-6
Padres:
Game 13- Original: 2-0 Phillies. New: 1-0 Phillies.
Game 14- Original: 4-1 Phillies. New: 3-1 Phillies.
Game 15: Original: 5-1 Padres. New: 2-0 Padres
Game 16- Original: 6-1 Padres. New: Same score.
Overall Original: Phillies 7-9 Overall New: Phillies 8-8
Diamondbacks:
Game 17- Original: 9-5 Diamondbacks. New: 8-0 Diamondbacks.
Game 18- Original: 8-5 Phillies. New: 7-4 Phillies.
Game 19: Original: 7-2 Phillies. New: 6-2 Phillies.
Overall Original: Phillies 9-10 Overall New: Phillies 10-9
Cubs:
Chad Qualls Photo Credit: Steve Trapani
Game 20- Original: 5-1 Cubs. New: 3-1 Cubs.
Game 21- Original: 5-2 Phillies. New: 5-1 Phillies.
Game 22: Original: 5-1 Cubs. New: 3-0 Cubs.
Game 23: Original: 6-4 Phillies. New: 4-1 Phillies.
Overall Original: Phillies 11-12 Overall New: Phillies 12-11
Braves:
Game 24- Original: 4-2 Phillies. New: 5-3 Phillies.
The game goes into the 8th tied at 2-2. The Phillies’ runner on second score on an RBI double by John Mayberry Jr. Mayberry moves to 3rd on a single by Jimmy Rollins. He will then score on a wild pitch. Rollins scored on a Hunter Pence single.
The Braves’ runner moved to 3rd on a Freddie Freeman single. He then came around to score as the Phillies conceded the run to turn a double play.
Game 25- Original: 15-13 Braves. New: 9-8 Phillies.
Game 26: Original: 4-0 Phillies. New: 2-0 Phillies.
Overall Original: Phillies 13-13 Overall New: Phillies 15-11
Nationals:
Game 27- Original: 4-3 Nationals. New: 3-2 Phillies.
Game 28- Original: 7-1 Nationals. New: 5-1 Nationals.
Game 29: Original: 9-3 Phillies. New: 3-1 Phillies.
Yes, Bryce Harper still gets hit. And then steals home.
Overall Original: Phillies 14-15 Overall New: Phillies 17-12
Mets:
Game 30- Original: 5-2 Mets. New: 3-2 Phillies.
Antonio Bastardo comes in the 8th in relief of Roy Halladay. Bastardo walked the Andres Torres to put runners on first and second with no outs. The runners move up on a sacrifice bunt. David Wright is intentionally walked to load the bases. However, Lucas Duda grounds into a double play.
In the bottom of the 8th, Ty Wigginton hits a walk-off single to center field.
Game 31- Original: 7-4 Mets. New: 5-4 Mets.
Game 32: Original: 10-6 Mets. New: 5-4 Mets.
Overall Original: Phillies 14-18 Overall New: Phillies 18-14
Padres:
Photo Credit: Me
Game 33- Original: 7-3 Phillies. New: 5-2 Phillies.
Game 34- Original: 2-1 Padres. New: Same score.
Game 35: Original: 3-2 Phillies. New: 3-1 Phillies.
Overall Original: Phillies 16-19 Overall New: Phillies 20-15
Astros:
Game 36- Original: 5-1 Phillies. New: 3-0 Phillies.
Game 37- Original: 4-3 Phillies. New: 3-1 Phillies.
The Phillies never gave Pence the chance to spaz out and let Astros tie it. They also never gave him the chance from walking it off in the bottom of the 10th.
Overall Original: Phillies 18-19 Overall New: Phillies 22-15
Cubs:
Game 38- Original: 9-2 Phillies. New: 4-2 Phillies.
Chooch wins this one for the Phillies in the top of the 8th with a 2-run homerun in the top of the 8th.
Game 39- Original: 8-7 Phillies. New: 5-2 Phillies.
Overall Original: Phillies 20-19 Overall New: Phillies 24-15
Red Sox:
Game 40- Original: 6-4 Phillies. New: 5-3 Phillies.
Game 41- Original: 7-5 Red Sox. New: 7-4 Red Sox.
Game 42: Original: 5-1 Red Sox. New: 5-0 Red Sox.
Overall Original: Phillies 21-21 Overall New: Phillies 25-17
Nationals:
Game 43- Original: 2-1 Nationals. New: 2-0 Nationals.
Game 44- Original: 5-2 Nationals. New: 5-1 Nationals.
Game 45: Original: 4-1 Phillies. New: 2-0 Phillies.
Overall Original: Phillies 22-23 Overall New: Phillies 26-19
Cardinals:
Game 46- Original: 10-9 Phillies. New: 9-8 Phillies.
Game 47- Original: 5-3 Phillies. New: 4-3 Cardinals.
The Phillies and Cardinals went into the 8th inning tied at 3. The Phillies are quietly shut down in the top of the 8th. The Cardinals, however, were not so quiet.
Carlos Beltran grounds out to move the runner to third. Two batters later, Yadier Molina hits a walk-off single.
Game 48: Original: 4-0 Phillies. New: Same Score.
Game 49: Original: 8-3 Cardinals. New: 8-1 Cardinals.
Overall Original: Phillies 25-24 Overall New: Phillies 28-21
Mets:
Game 50- Original: 8-4 Phillies. New: 5-4 Phillies.
Game 51- Original: 6-3 Mets. New: Same Score
Game 52: Original: 10-6 Phillies. New: 5-3 Phillies.
The Phillies and Mets went into extras with a score tied at 3. In the top of the 8th, a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly gave the Phillies a 2-run lead. And a needed win.
Overall Original: Phillies 27-25 Overall New: Phillies 30-22
Marlins:
Game 53- Original: 6-4 Phillies. New: 5-2 Phillies.
Game 54- Original: 5-4 Marlins. New: 5-3 Marlins.
Game 55: Original: 5-1 Marlins. New: 5-0 Marlins.
Overall Original: Phillies 28-27 Overall New: Phillies 31-24
Dodgers:
Game 56- Original: 4-3 Dodgers. New: Same score.
However, this game was won in the 8th inning with a single that scored that important runner on second.
Game 57- Original: 2-1 Dodgers. New: 1-0 Phillies.
This game never goes to the 8th inning, and the bullpen never blows the lead.
Game 58: Original: 6-5 Dodgers. New: 5-4 Dodgers.
Game 59: Original: 8-3 Dodgers. New: 4-3 Dodgers.
Overall Original: Phillies 28-31 Overall New: Phillies 32-27
Orioles:
Game 60- Original: 9-6 Phillies. New: Same score.
Game 61- Original: 6-4 Orioles. New: 4-3 Orioles.
Mike Fontenot personally lost this game for the Phillies.
Game 62: Original: 5-4 Orioles. New: 5-4 Phillies.
The random runner on second scores on a Michael Martinez single in the top of the 8th.
Overall Original: Phillies 29-33 Overall New: Phillies 34-28
Twins:
Game 63- Original: 11-7 Twins. New: Same Score.
Game 64- Original: 9-8 Phillies. New: Same Score.
Game 65: Original: 6-1 Phillies. New: 4-1 Phillies.
Overall Original: Phillies 31-34 Overall New: Phillies 36-29
Blue Jays:
Antonio Bastardo Photo Credit: PHL 17
Game 66- Original: 3-0 Blue Jays. New: Same Score.
Game 67- Original: 6-5 Blue Jays. New: 4-2 Phillies.
Once again, the Phillies bullpen never entered this game and Cliff Lee would have gotten his 4th win of the year.
Game 68: Original: 6-2 Blue Jays. New: 5-2 Blue Jays.
Overall Original: Phillies 31-37 Overall New: Phillies 37-31
Rockies:
Game 69- Original: 7-2 Phillies. New: 4-2 Phillies
Game 70- Original: 7-6 Phillies. New: 6-5 Rockies.
The player placed on second to start the inning for the Rockies scores on a single. The Phillies were unable to mount a comeback in the botton of the 8th.
(editor’s note: This is one of the few games where I would not change the outcome for anything. The bottom of the 9th was incredibly awesome.)
Game 71: Original: 4-1 Rockies. New: 2-1 Rockies.
Overall Original: Phillies 33-38 Overall New: Phillies 38-33
Rays:
Game 72- Original: 7-6 Phillies. New: 5-3 Phillies
Game 73- Original: 3-2 Rays. New: 1-0 Phillies.
Once again, the Phillies bullpen was kept from ruining another game and Cole Hamels secured another win.
Game 74- Original: 7-3 Rays. New: 5-3 Rays.
Overall Original: Phillies 34-40 Overall New: Phillies 40-34
Pirates:
Game 75- Original: 8-3 Phillies. New: 7-3 Phillies
Game 76- Original: 5-4 Phillies. New: 4-3 Phillies.
Game 77- Original: 11-7 Pirates. New: 8-7 Pirates.
Overall Original: Phillies 36-41 Overall New: Phillies 42-35
Pirates:
Game 75- Original: 8-3 Phillies. New: 7-3 Phillies
Game 76- Original: 5-4 Phillies. New: 4-3 Phillies.
Game 77- Original: 11-7 Pirates. New: 8-7 Pirates.
Game 78- Original: 5-4 Pirates. New: 5-3 Pirates.
Kyle Kendrick lost this game before the Phillies ever got a chance.
Overall Original: Phillies 36-42 Overall New: Phillies 42-36
Marlins:
Game 79- Original: 6-2 Marlins. New: 6-1 Marlins.
Game 80- Original: 3-2 Marlins. New: Same Score
Game 81- Original: 5-2 Marlins. New: 3-2 Marlins.
Overall Original: Phillies 36-45 Overall New: Phillies 42-39
Mets:
Photo Credit: BJ Wilson
Game 82- Original: 11-1 Mets. New: 9-1 Mets.
Game 83- Original: 9-2 Phillies. New: 3-2 Phillies.
Chase Utley and Chooch win this one in the top of the 7th.
Game 84- Original: 6-5 Mets. New: 5-4 Phillies.
Overall Original: Phillies 37-47 Overall New: Phillies 44-40
Braves:
Game 85- Original: 5-0 Braves. New: 6-1 Braves.
This game went into the 8th scoreless. The Braves mount a 6 run rally off of the Phillies bullpen in the top of the 8th. The Phillies only managed to score their runner on second during the bottom of the inning.
Game 86- Original: 6-3 Braves. New: Same Score.
Game 87- Original: 4-3 Braves. New: Same score.
Overall Original: Phillies 37-50 Overall New: Phillies 44-43
By my calculations, if we could have cut out the Phillies bullpen, the Phillies would be over, or right around, .500. They would be in 4th place and 7 games out of first. They would be a whole lot better set up to make a run in the second half.
In conclusion I have one thing to say:
Ruben Amaro Jr., FIX THE BULLPEN NOW PLEASE!!!
Karilee Jeantet is Lead Contributor for A View From Section 116. Follow her on Twitter @kjeantet and @viewfromsec116 and e-mail her AViewFromSection116@gmail.com.
