But the Phillies hit a wall in August '99 and it carried over. They played like zombies the final 10 games last spring, a trend that carried all the way to Game 162. Since Jose Mesa doesn't hit or field, this is a potential problem. Yesterday, the loyal fans who showed up early to watch batting practice in The Jack had to watch pickoffs and rundowns and bunt coverages and cutoffs and relays and all the stuff the Phillies have been turning into a casting call for the Bad News Bears. Mike Lieberthal made the difficult catch of a high-sky ball drifting away from him.
Second base continues to leak.
With defensively challenged Marlon Anderson out of the lineup, Tomas Perez made an error. Later, first baseman Gene Schall failed to glove a rocket grounder, but that's a Triple A error. Rolen caddie Kevin Jordan tacked on No. 3. It was not a clinic. Make the routine plays, the doubleplay, position yourself for the cutoffs and relays.